Size-driven ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition in TGS nanocomposites

Dielectric properties of porous glass nanocomposites with TGS crystals embedded into six porous matrices with average pore size from 5 to 312 nm were investigated in the temperature range from 280 to 380 K at selected frequencies. The results are discussed based on the effect of the particle size on the phase transition temperature of TGS nanocomposites. Temperature–size phase diagram of TGS composites was derived. Non-monotonic character of the temperature-driven phase transition (Tp) with the decreasing particle size was determined. The nature of the Tp variation can be ascribed to the size-effect theoretically predicted by Zhong et al. (Phys Rev B 50:698–703, 1994).