Effect of the nanopore on ferroelectric domain structures and switching properties

Porous ferroelectrics have some special properties and features for specific promising applications. The nanopores structure have been observed in experiments may have great influence on the ferroelectric domain structures and the switching properties of ferroelectrics. In this study, we proposed a phase field model to predict the domain structures of porous ferroelectrics and their evolution under a switching electric field. The effects of the pores size/shape on domain structure, switching properties, and dielectric/piezoelectric properties are investigated and analyzed. The simulated hysteresis loop is in good agreement with experimental reports. It is shown that the porosity can strongly affect the ferroelectric domain size, and furthermore, will influence the hysteresis loop. Therefore controlling the porosity of ferroelectrics may provide a possible way to adjust the properties of porous ferroelectric materials. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.