Polarization reversal dynamics of ferroelastic nanodomains in Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ thin film

Applying an electric field along the [001] direction can drive the coupled polarization reversal in [100] oriented ferroelastic nano-sized a-domains in Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ thin film. In this study, experimental probing of nanodomain evolution in ferroelastic Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ thin films using in-situ synchrotron X-ray scattering reveals mechanisms of polarization reversal of both nanosized a-domains as well as that of matrix c-domains. Polarization reversal of a- and matrix c-domains under an electric field along the [001] direction generates the scattering intensity–electric field hysteresis loops. Both time-dependent scattering intensity and phase-field simulation reveal that the polarization reversal of nanodomains can be completed ten times faster than that of matrix c-domain owing to the ferroelastic switching mediated reversal mechanism.