High Tc ferroelectricity in V-doped ZnO nanorods

We report the observation of a high ferroelectric Curie temperature (Tc ∼ 345 °C) with a high remnant polarization (4.83 μC cm−2) and low coercive field (5.43 kV cm−1) in V-doped ZnO nanorods (NR) synthesized by a low cost chemical route. Raman scattering analysis confirmed the formation of a wurzite structure with a good crystal quality and less structural defects in as-grown V-doped ZnO NR. The formation of non-collinear V–O bonds and their easy rotation under an electric field induces a switchable higher spontaneous polarization. The persistence of a better ferroelectric behaviour, even at 20 nm size and high Tc, in V-doped ZnO NR opens up new possibilities for high temperature nano-piezotronics applications of ZnO NR, including energy harvesting, which is a better option than lead-based or lead-free perovskite materials.