Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.139, No.39, 13903-13908, 2017
A Multiaxial Molecular Ferroelectric with Highest Curie Temperature and Fastest Polarization Switching
The classical organic ferroelectric, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), has attracted much attention as a promising candidate for data storage applications compatible with all-organic electronics. However, it is the low crystallinity, the large coercive field, and the limited thermal stability of remanent polarization that severely hinder large-scale integration. In light of that, we show a molecular ferroelectric thin film of [Hdabco][ReO4] (dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) (1), belonging to another class of typical organic ferroelectrics. Remarkably, it displays not only the highest Curie temperature of 499.6 K but also the fastest polarization switching of 100k Hz among all reported molecular ferroelectrics. Combined with the large remanent polarization values (similar to 9 mu C/cm(2)), the low coercive voltages (similar to 10 V), and the unique multiaxial ferroelectric nature, 1 becomes a promising and viable alternative to PVDF for data storage applications in next generation flexible devices, wearable devices, and bionics.