Work

Room-temperature ferroelectricity in NaNbO3 membrane

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Sodium niobate (NaNbO3), traditionally recognized as an antiferroelectric material, has garnered significant attention for its potential in energy storage, electromechanical devices, and electrocaloric applications. Central to unlocking its full potential is precise control over its ferroic orders, particularly the transition between antiferroelectric and ferroelectric phases. In this study, we propose a topochemical conversion strategy for fabricating pure ferroelectric NaNbO3 membranes with a P21ma orthorhombic phase regardless of membrane thickness. Using Scanning transmission electron microscopy, we identify two distinct regions with large ( > 10°) or small ( < 1°) octahedral tilts in the ferroelectric NaNbO3 membranes. Polarization analyses in these regions reveal that the ferroelectricity originates from the out-of-plane displacement of Nb5+ cations. Additionally, the pure ferroelectric NaNbO3 membranes demonstrate thickness-dependent piezoelectric enhancement, achieving a d33 value of 93.7 pm/V at 30 nm thickness, as well as pronounced resistance switching behaviors. This study introduces an innovative molten salt environment-controlled synthesis strategy, enabling efficient production of high-quality pure ferroelectric NaNbO3 membranes, and advancing their integration into next-generation functional devices. The authors introduce a topochemical conversion strategy that reliably produces high-quality, freestanding NaNbO3 membranes with robust, thickness-independent room-temperature ferroelectricity. It provides a complete story from innovative synthesis to mechanistic insight and functional validation.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-74642-4