Resolving nanograin morphology and sub-grain nanodomains via scanning probe acoustic microscopy in high energy density BaTiO3 ferroelectric films

Jun Ouyang; Yinxiu Xue; Meiling Yuan; Chuanqi Song; Kun Wang; Yuyao Zhao; Hongbo Cheng; Hanfei Zhu; Chao Liu

Journal of Materiomics (May 2025)

Resolving nanograin morphology and sub-grain nanodomains via scanning probe acoustic microscopy in high energy density BaTiO3 ferroelectric films

Jun Ouyang,
Yinxiu Xue,
Meiling Yuan,
Chuanqi Song,
Kun Wang,
Yuyao Zhao,
Hongbo Cheng,
Hanfei Zhu,
Chao Liu

Affiliations

Jun Ouyang: Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory of Key Film Materials & Application for Equipment, School of Material Sciences and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structure Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China; Corresponding author. Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China.
Yinxiu Xue: Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China
Meiling Yuan: Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structure Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China; Academic Affairs Office, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin, 300300, China
Chuanqi Song: Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China
Kun Wang: Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structure Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China; China Tobacco Shandong Industrial Co. Ltd., Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
Yuyao Zhao: Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structure Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China
Hongbo Cheng: Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structure Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China
Hanfei Zhu: Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structure Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, Shandong, China
Chao Liu: Institute of Advanced Energy Materials and Chemistry, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-Scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, Shandong, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 3
p. 100893

Abstract

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Energy storage property of a dielectric is closely tied with its nanostructure. In this study, we aim to achieve a deep understanding of this relationship in high energy density ferroelectric ceramic films, by probing into the nanograin and sub-grain nanostructures in polycrystalline BaTiO3 films integrated on Si. Through scanning probe acoustic microscopy analyses, it is revealed that the BaTiO3 films directly grown on Pt/Ti/Si mostly consist of large discontinuous columnar nanograins, while those grown on LaNiO3-buffered Pt/Ti/Si substrates have a dominant microstructure of continuous columnar nanograins. Furthermore, ultrafine ferroelastic domains of ∼10 nm wide are revealed inside the grains of the buffered BaTiO3 films, while those unbuffered films show about ∼50% increase in the domain width. The dielectric properties of the BaTiO3 films are well correlated with their characteristic nanostructures. Under an increasing electric field, the LaNiO3-buffered films display a slower decline in its dielectric constant and a later saturation of its electric polarization, leading to an improved energy storage performance. Device-level charge-discharge tests have verified not only the delayed polarization saturation and high energy density of the LaNiO3-buffered BaTiO3 film capacitors, but also a high power density in the same order as those of the ferroelectric ceramics.

Published in Journal of Materiomics

ISSN: 2352-8478 (Print); 2352-8486 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-materiomics

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