Domain-selective photochemical reaction on oriented ferroelectric Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals

The domain-selective photoreduction of silver on (0 0 1) and (1 1 1) oriented 0.25Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.44Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.31PbTiO3 (PIMNT) ferroelectric single crystals is investigated via piezoresponse force microscopy and Kelvin force microscopy. It is found that the crystallographic orientation as well as the direction and magnitude of the voltage used for domain switching strongly affects the amount and distribution of silver photodeposition. Additionally, the scanning direction of the tip during domain switching significantly affects silver photodeposition at c−/c+ domain boundaries when a high voltage is applied for domain switching. These phenomena can be explained and thus controlled by polarisation induced band bending, the space charge layer of the ferroelectric crystal and tip induced charge injection during domain switching. This work demonstrates a potential means to achieve an arbitrary spatial distribution of photodeposited metal.

Graphical abstract.Download full-size imageHighlights▸ Crystal orientation influences photodeposition on designated domains. ▸ Enhanced photodeposition is observed at specific domain boundaries unlike LiNbO3. ▸ Tip motion determines which domain boundaries are enhanced when a large switching voltage is used. ▸ This phenomenon originates from tip injected charges.