Phys.org  October 16, 2023
Ferroelectrics possess a spontaneous polarization that is switchable by an electric field and is critical for the development of low energy nanoelectronics and neuromorphic applications. However, the realization of switchable polarization in metal oxides with simpler structures has been a major challenge. An international team of researchers (Australia, India) demonstrated the presence of robust switchable polarization at the level of a single nanocrystalline in magnesium-doped zinc oxide thin films with polar wurtzite crystal structures. Voltage control of the polarization and the coupled electronic transport behavior revealed a giant resistance change of approximately 10000% . Time- and frequency-resolved nanoscale measurements provide key insights into the polarization phenomenon and a 9-fold increase in the effective longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient. According to the researchers their work is a crucial step toward validating nanoscale ferroelectricity in polar wurtzites for use in advanced nanoelectronics and memory applications… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Nano 2023, 17, 17, 17148–17157, 1 September, 2023Â