Domain switchings within BaTiO3 nanofibers under different polarizing voltages and loading forces

We reported scanned probe characterization of the domain switching in Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanofibers using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). The PFM phase images of BaTiO3 nanofibers under different DC polarizing voltages illustrate that domain switchings are influenced by grain boundaries and internal field. Furthermore, the amplitude-voltage butterfly loop and the phase-voltage hysteresis loop were obtained to confirm the ferroelectric character of BaTiO3 nanofibers. With the increase of the loading forces, the nanofiber becomes brighter, which indicates that the polarization has the trend of switching to horizontal direction.