High resolution quantitative piezoresponse force microscopy of BiFeO3 nanofibers with dramatically enhanced sensitivity

Nanoscale. 2012 Jan 21;4(2):408-13. doi: 10.1039/c1nr11099c. Epub 2011 Nov 21.

Abstract

Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) has emerged as the tool of choice for characterizing piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity of low-dimensional nanostructures, yet quantitative analysis of such low-dimensional ferroelectrics is extremely challenging. In this communication, we report a dual frequency resonance tracking technique to probe nanocrystalline BiFeO(3) nanofibers with substantially enhanced piezoresponse sensitivity, while simultaneously determining its piezoelectric coefficient quantitatively and correlating quality factor mappings with dissipative domain switching processes. This technique can be applied to probe the piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity of a wide range of low-dimensional nanostructures or materials with extremely small piezoelectric effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bismuth / chemistry*
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing / methods*
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / methods*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide
  • bismuth oxide
  • Bismuth