Piezoelectric domain walls in van der Waals antiferroelectric CuInP₂Se₆.

ABSTRACT: Polar van der Waals chalcogenophosphates exhibit unique properties, such as negative electrostriction and multi-well ferrielectricity, and enable combining dielectric and 2D electronic materials. Using low temperature piezoresponse force microscopy, we revealed coexistence of piezoelectric and non-piezoelectric phases in CuInP₂Se₆, forming unusual domain walls with enhanced piezoelectric response. From systematic imaging experiments we have inferred the formation of a partially polarized antiferroelectric state, with inclusions of structurally distinct ferrielectric domains enclosed by the corresponding phase boundaries. The assignment is strongly supported by optical spectroscopies and density-functional-theory calculations. Enhanced piezoresponse at the ferrielectri

SUBMITTER: Dziaugys A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7368031 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature