Centrosymmetry-Breaking Morphotropic Phase Boundary: A Pathway to Highly Sensitive and Strong Pressure-Responsive Nonlinear Optical Switches.
J Am Chem Soc
; 2024 Apr 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38593470
ABSTRACT
The quest for high-performance piezoelectric materials has been synonymous with the pursuit of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), yet the full potential of MPBs remains largely untapped outside of the realm of ferroelectrics. In this study, we reveal a new class of MPB by creating continuous molecular-based solid solutions between centro- and noncentrosymmetric compounds, exemplified by (tert-butylammonium)1-x(tert-amylammonium)xFeCl4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), where the MPB is formed due to disorder of molecular cations. Near the MPB, we discovered an exceptionally sensitive nonlinear optical material in the centrosymmetric phase, capable of activation at pressures as low as 0.12-0.27 GPa, and producing tunable second-harmonic generation (SHG) signals from zero to 18.8 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP). Meanwhile, synchrotron diffraction experiments have unveiled a third competing phase (P212121) appearing at low pressure, forming a triple-phase point near the MPB, thereby providing insight into the mechanism underpinning the nonlinear optical (NLO) switch behavior. These findings highlight the opportunity to harness exceptional physical properties in symmetry-breaking solid solution systems by strategically designing novel MPBs.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Am Chem Soc
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
China