Switchable dielectric, piezoelectric, and second-harmonic generation bistability in a new improper ferroelectric above room temperature

Abstract

Imidazolium periodate (IPI) is found to be an improper ferroelectric. It shows bistable properties simultaneously in three channels of dielectricity, piezoelectricity, and second-harmonic generation within the temperature window 300-310 K.

Keywords: bistability; molecular ferroelectricity; piezoelectricity; piezoresponse force microscopy imaging; second-harmonic generation.