Novel nanorod precipitate formation in neodymium and titanium codoped bismuth ferrite

MacLaren, I. , Wang, L.Q., Schaffer, B., Ramasse, Q.M., Craven, A.J., Selbach, S.M., Spaldin, N.A., Miao, S., Kalantari, K. and Reaney, I.M. (2013) Novel nanorod precipitate formation in neodymium and titanium codoped bismuth ferrite. Advanced Functional Materials, 23(6), pp. 683-689. (doi: 10.1002/adfm.201201835)

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Abstract

The discovery of unusual nanorod precipitates in bismuth ferrite doped with Nd and Ti is reported. The atomic structure and chemistry of the nanorods are determined using a combination of high angle annular dark field imaging, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and density functional calculations. It is found that the structure of the BiFeO3 matrix is strongly modified adjacent to the precipitates; the readiness of BiFeO3 to adopt different structural allotropes in turn explains why such a large axial ratio, uncommon in precipitates, is stabilized. In addition, a correlation is found between the alignment of the rods and the orientation of ferroelastic domains in the matrix, which is consistent with the system's attempt to minimize its internal strain. Density functional calculations indicate a finite density of electronic states at the Fermi energy within the rods, suggesting enhanced electrical conductivity along the rod axes, and motivating future investigations of nanorod functionalities.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Schaffer, Dr Bernhard and MacLaren, Dr Ian and Craven, Professor Alan
Authors: MacLaren, I., Wang, L.Q., Schaffer, B., Ramasse, Q.M., Craven, A.J., Selbach, S.M., Spaldin, N.A., Miao, S., Kalantari, K., and Reaney, I.M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1616-301X
ISSN (Online):1616-3028
Published Online:07 September 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 Wiley
First Published:First published in Advanced Functional Materials 23(6):683-689
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
413371SuperSTEM - the UK aberration corrected STEM facilityAlan CravenEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/D040205/1P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY
539401Using aberration corrected STEM to study the atomic structure of incommensurate antiferroelectricsIan MaclarenEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I000879/1P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY