Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties

The strain engineering effects induced by different means, e.g., the substrate lattice mismatch and/or chemical doping, on the functional properties of perovskite thin films have triggered interest in the use of these materials in different applications such as energy storage/generation or photonics...

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Main Authors: Florin Andrei, Maria Dinescu, Valentin Ion, Floriana Craciun, Ruxandra Birjega, Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Crystals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/12/1686
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author Florin Andrei
Maria Dinescu
Valentin Ion
Floriana Craciun
Ruxandra Birjega
Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu
author_facet Florin Andrei
Maria Dinescu
Valentin Ion
Floriana Craciun
Ruxandra Birjega
Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu
author_sort Florin Andrei
collection DOAJ
description The strain engineering effects induced by different means, e.g., the substrate lattice mismatch and/or chemical doping, on the functional properties of perovskite thin films have triggered interest in the use of these materials in different applications such as energy storage/generation or photonics. The effects of the film’s thickness and strain state of the structure for the lead-free perovskite ferrite-based materials (BiFeO<sub>3</sub>-BFO; Y-doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub>-BYFO; LaFeO<sub>3</sub>-LFO) on their functional properties are highlighted here. As was previously demonstrated, the dielectric properties of BFO epitaxial thin films are strongly affected by the film thickness and by the epitaxial strain induced by the lattice mismatch between substrate and film. Doping the BiFeO<sub>3</sub> ferroelectric perovskite with rare-earth elements or inducing a high level of structural deformation into the crystalline structure of LaFeO<sub>3</sub> thin films have allowed the tuning of functional properties of these materials, such as dielectric, optical or photocatalytic ones. These changes are presented in relation to the appearance of complex ensembles of nanoscale phase/nanodomains within the epitaxial films due to strain engineering. However, it is a challenge to maintain the same level of epitaxial strain present in ultrathin films (<10 nm) and to preserve or tune the positive effects in films of thicknesses usually higher than 30 nm.
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spelling doaj.art-082425603af246e1b47bc69a6ebaaf5d2023-12-22T14:02:00ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522023-12-011312168610.3390/cryst13121686Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional PropertiesFlorin Andrei0Maria Dinescu1Valentin Ion2Floriana Craciun3Ruxandra Birjega4Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu5National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Photoplasmat Center (C400) and Laser Department, 409 Atomistilor Street, RO-077125 Magurele, RomaniaNational Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Photoplasmat Center (C400) and Laser Department, 409 Atomistilor Street, RO-077125 Magurele, RomaniaNational Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Photoplasmat Center (C400) and Laser Department, 409 Atomistilor Street, RO-077125 Magurele, RomaniaCNR-ISM, Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Area della Ricerca di Roma-Tor Vergata, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, ItalyNational Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Photoplasmat Center (C400) and Laser Department, 409 Atomistilor Street, RO-077125 Magurele, RomaniaNational Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Photoplasmat Center (C400) and Laser Department, 409 Atomistilor Street, RO-077125 Magurele, RomaniaThe strain engineering effects induced by different means, e.g., the substrate lattice mismatch and/or chemical doping, on the functional properties of perovskite thin films have triggered interest in the use of these materials in different applications such as energy storage/generation or photonics. The effects of the film’s thickness and strain state of the structure for the lead-free perovskite ferrite-based materials (BiFeO<sub>3</sub>-BFO; Y-doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub>-BYFO; LaFeO<sub>3</sub>-LFO) on their functional properties are highlighted here. As was previously demonstrated, the dielectric properties of BFO epitaxial thin films are strongly affected by the film thickness and by the epitaxial strain induced by the lattice mismatch between substrate and film. Doping the BiFeO<sub>3</sub> ferroelectric perovskite with rare-earth elements or inducing a high level of structural deformation into the crystalline structure of LaFeO<sub>3</sub> thin films have allowed the tuning of functional properties of these materials, such as dielectric, optical or photocatalytic ones. These changes are presented in relation to the appearance of complex ensembles of nanoscale phase/nanodomains within the epitaxial films due to strain engineering. However, it is a challenge to maintain the same level of epitaxial strain present in ultrathin films (<10 nm) and to preserve or tune the positive effects in films of thicknesses usually higher than 30 nm.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/12/1686strain engineeringepitaxial thin filmsferroelectric perovskite thin films
spellingShingle Florin Andrei
Maria Dinescu
Valentin Ion
Floriana Craciun
Ruxandra Birjega
Nicu Doinel Scarisoreanu
Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties
Crystals
strain engineering
epitaxial thin films
ferroelectric perovskite thin films
title Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties
title_full Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties
title_fullStr Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties
title_short Impact of Structural Strain in Perovskite Epitaxial Thin Films on Their Functional Properties
title_sort impact of structural strain in perovskite epitaxial thin films on their functional properties
topic strain engineering
epitaxial thin films
ferroelectric perovskite thin films
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/12/1686
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AT valentinion impactofstructuralstraininperovskiteepitaxialthinfilmsontheirfunctionalproperties
AT florianacraciun impactofstructuralstraininperovskiteepitaxialthinfilmsontheirfunctionalproperties
AT ruxandrabirjega impactofstructuralstraininperovskiteepitaxialthinfilmsontheirfunctionalproperties
AT nicudoinelscarisoreanu impactofstructuralstraininperovskiteepitaxialthinfilmsontheirfunctionalproperties