Chemical State Evolution in Ferroelectric Films during Tip-Induced Polarization and Electroresistive Switching

Journal Article

Ievlev, A.V, P Maksymovych, M Trassin, J Seidel, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, S.V Kalinin, O.S Ovchinnikova

10.1021/acsami.6b10784

Domain formation and ferroelectric switching is fundamentally inseparable from polarization screening, which on free surfaces can be realized via band bending and ionic adsorption. In the latter case, polarization switching is intrinsically coupled to the surface electrochemical phenomena, and the electrochemical stage can control kinetics and induce long-range interactions. However, despite extensive evidence toward the critical role of surface electrochemistry, little is known about the nature of the associated processes. Here we combine SPM tip induce polarization switching and secondary ion mass spectrometry to explore the evolution of chemical state of ferroelectric during switching. Surprisingly, we find that even pristine surfaces contain ions (e.g., Cl-) that are not anticipated based on chemistry of the system and processing. In the ferroelectric switching regime, we find surprising changes in surface chemistry, including redistribution of base cations. At higher voltages in the electroforming regime significant surface deformation was observed and associated with a strong ion intermixing. © 2016 American Chemical Society.

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

8

2016

19448244

cited By 20

Ramesh Lab