On the possibility that PbZrO3 not be antiferroelectric

Lead zirconate (PbZrO3) is considered the prototypical antiferroelectric material with an antipolar ground state. Yet, several experimental and theoretical works hint at a partially polar behaviour in this compound, indicating that the polarization may not be completely compensated. In this work, we...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aramberri, Hugo, Cazorla Silva, Claudio|||0000-0002-6501-4513, Stengel, Massimiliano, Iñiguez Amigot, José Ignacio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/366264
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/366264
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41524-021-00671-w
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ferroelectricity
Ferroelectricitat
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física
Descripción
Sumario:Lead zirconate (PbZrO3) is considered the prototypical antiferroelectric material with an antipolar ground state. Yet, several experimental and theoretical works hint at a partially polar behaviour in this compound, indicating that the polarization may not be completely compensated. In this work, we propose a simple ferrielectric structure for lead zirconate. First-principles calculations reveal this state to be more stable than the commonly accepted antiferroelectric phase at low temperatures, possibly up to room temperature, suggesting that PbZrO3 may not be antiferroelectric at ambient conditions. We discuss the implications of our discovery, how it can be reconciled with experimental observations and how the ferrielectric phase could be obtained in practice.