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Ferroic Materials: From Past to Present

Sandeep Yadav1, Pallavi Jain1* and Prashant Singh2†

1Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Delhi-NCR Campus, Modinagar, India

2Department of Chemistry, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

Abstract

The chapter provides an overview of the development and applications of ferroic materials. The chapter begins with a brief history of ferroic materials and their discovery and a detailed discussion of the four major types of ferroic materials: ferromagnetic, ferroelastic, ferroelectric, and multiferroic materials. The section on ferromagnetic materials covers their magnetic properties and applications in data storage, sensing, and medical imaging. The section on ferroelastic materials describes their mechanical properties and applications in actuators, sensors, and energy-harvesting devices. The section on ferroelectric materials explains their electrical properties and applications in capacitors, transducers, and memory devices. Finally, the section on multiferroic materials discusses their unique combination of multiple ferroic properties and their potential applications in next-generation devices such as spintronics, magneto-electric sensors, and nonvolatile memory. The chapter concludes by mentioning the present state of research and probable future directions for developing and applying ferroic materials. This chapter comprehensively introduces ferroic materials, their historical development, and their diverse applications across multiple fields. It will interest researchers, students, and materials science, physics, and engineering professionals.

Keywords: Ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, ferroelastic, multiferroic, piezoelectric sensors, magnetic sensors

1.1 Introduction

Ferroic materials exhibit ferroic ordering, a long-range ordered state in which the material shows a spontaneous polarization, magnetization, strain, or other physical properties. Intense research has been done on these materials over the past few decades due to their potential for various technological applications.

One of the most critical applications of ferroic materials is in the field of data storage. Ferromagnetic materials, for example, are used extensively in hard disk drives, where they store digital information in magnetic domains. Ferroelectric materials, on the other hand, are used in nonvolatile memory devices. One example of a nonvolatile memory device is ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM). It has faster access times and lower power consumption than conventional memory devices. In data storage, ferroelastic materials have some potential applications because they can undergo reversible strain, and this property can be utilized to develop data storage devices with high-density data [1, 2].

Besides data storage, ferroic materials have found applications in various other fields. For example, ferromagnetic materials are used in motors, transformers, and generators due to their ability to generate a magnetic field.

The study of ferroic materials has a long and rich history, dating back to the discovery of ferromagnetism in lodestones by the ancient Greeks. However, it was in the 1930s that the concept of ferroic materials as a class of materials with similar properties was established. Since then, the field has proliferated with the discovery of new materials and phenomena and the development of new characterization techniques [3].

Recently, ferroic materials came into the limelight due to their potential use in technologies such as nanoelectronics and spintronics. Developing new synthesis and fabrication techniques has caused the formation of new materials with novel properties and functionalities, such as multiferroics, which exhibit more than one type of ferroic ordering. The study of ferroic materials is a crucial research field with a wide range of practical applications across different industries and disciplines. The history of ferroic materials research dates back centuries, and recent developments in synthesis and characterization techniques have led to the discovery of new materials with novel properties and functionalities. The remaining sections of this chapter will provide a detailed overview of the different types of ferroic materials, their properties, and their applications.

1.2 Types of Ferroic Materials

Ferroic materials encompassed various types of ordered materials. Ferromagnetic materials, such as iron and nickel, possessed spontaneous magnetization even without an external magnetic field. Ferroelectric materials, like barium titanate and lead zirconate titanate, exhibited spontaneous electric polarization that could be reversed with an electric field. Ferroelastic materials, including shape memory alloys like Nitinol, showcased reversible deformation and strain. Moreover, multiferroic materials exhibited multiple ferroic properties simultaneously, allowing for coupling between different types of orderings. These materials offered promising potential for applications in diverse fields, including magnetoelectric sensors and memory devices [4]. Figure 1.1 shows the types of ferroic materials.

1.2.1 Ferromagnetic Materials

Ferromagnetic materials are a type of ferroic materials that exhibit spontaneous magnetization. This means that these materials have some magnetic behavior even when no external magnetic field exists. Ferromagnetic materials have been extensively studied over the past century due to their importance in technological applications.

Figure 1.1 Types of ferroic materials.

1.2.1.1 Past of Ferromagnetic Materials

Ferromagnetism dates back to ancient times when the Greeks discovered that certain minerals could attract iron. However, it was not until the 19th century that the phenomenon was studied in detail. In 1820, Hans Christian Oersted saw a magnetic needle gets deflected when placed near a current-carrying wire, indicating a relationship between electricity and magnetism. This led to the development of electromagnetic theory and the discovery of the connection between electricity and magnetism.

In 1825, William Sturgeon developed the first practical electromagnet, which used a coil of wire to create a magnetic field. This was followed by the development of permanent magnets made of ferromagnetic materials such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. In 1915, the German physicist Wilhelm Lenz proposed the concept of ferromagnetism, which explained the phenomenon of spontaneous magnetization in certain materials [5].

Ferromagnetic materials have found numerous technological applications. One of the most important applications is in the field of data storage. Hard disk drives, for example, use ferromagnetic materials to store digital information in the form of magnetic domains. The development of high-density magnetic storage devices has been made possible by discovering new ferromagnetic materials and fabrication techniques.

Ferromagnetic materials are also used in various electrical and electronic devices, such as motors, transformers, and generators, due to their ability to generate a magnetic field. In addition, they are used in magnetic sensors and actuators, which are widely used in automotive, aerospace, and biomedical applications.

1.2.1.2 Present of Ferromagnetic Materials

Recent developments in ferromagnetic materials research have focused on discovering new materials with improved magnetic properties. The development of magnetic nanoparticles is one of the most promising research areas, with potential applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery, and magnetic hyperthermia. In addition, there has been significant progress in the development of spintronics. This field aims to utilize the electronic spin and its charge for information processing and storage. Ferromagnetic materials are crucial in spintronics, as they are used as magnetic electrodes and spin injectors [6].

Chiu and colleagues conducted research where they explored ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMA) in actuating robots. Their findings indicated that Ni-Mn-Ga alloys were well-suited for this purpose, as they exhibited a high work:volume ratio with rapid response rates. The alloys had a 5-modulated (5M) martensite phase, which could provoke martensite variant reorientation (MVR) when an external magnetic or stress field is applied. Additionally, the study revealed that 7–13 vol.% of the Ni-Mn-Ga alloy was necessary to initiate MVR [7].

Wang et al. found that the heterogeneous nanocrystalline Co/Ni sample exhibited a high permeability and good impedance similarity between permeability and permittivity, resulting in good absorption in the Ku-band (12–18 GHz). The CoNi microsphere sample displayed good absorption in the microwave region, also known as C-band (4–8 GHz) and X-band (8–11.5 GHz). On the other hand, CoNi microspheres with diameters greater than 2 μm formed chain-like structures that demonstrated inadequate microwave absorption capability [8].

A Fe3O4-based aerogel was produced by Lo et al. via the sol-gel method and supercritical freezing. Loaded Ag enhanced its photocatalytic Fentonoxidation and reduction activities, leading to the efficient removal of benzoic acid and the production of 4-aminophenol under visible light. The Ag-loaded porous structure of the aerogel provided a high surface area, many active sites, and many active radicals. The research provides...