Aging phenomenon in ferroelectrics and the related large recoverable electro-strain effect

Ferroelectric aging usually refers to a gradual changing of properties with time. It lowers the reliability of ferroelectric devices and is usually undesirable for ferroelectrics. The occurrence of aging is closely related with the diffusion of mobile defects in ferroelectrics, yet a microscopic mechanism remains unclear. In the present paper, the authors pointed out that aging is microscopically driven by a symmetry conforming force of defect symmetry to crystal symmetry, based on the proposed symmetry-conforming short-range-order (SC-SRO) principle of point defects in ferroelectric crystals. More importantly, a giant recoverable electro-strain in aged BaTiO₃-based ferroelectrics was obtained via a defect mediated reversible domain switching, which is 40times larger than the traditional electro-strain effect. The results provide a promising way for designating high electro-strain materials. Besides, direct evidence for the reversible domain switching process behind the large recoverable electro-strain was given by an in situ polarizing microscope observation. The symmetry relation between point defects and crystals was also discussed in light of the SC-SRO principle and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multi-scale novel effects are expected from the time-lag between the symmetry changing of crystals and point defects.