ASSOCIATED MAJORS:

1. NATURAL SCIENCES

• Chemistry
• Physics

PROJECT TITLE:

Use of Scanning Force Microscopy to study nanostructured ferroelectrics.

PROJECT SUMMARY. Description of activities and objectives:

The student with a background in Physics and/or Materials Engineering will have the opportunity to be trained in the use of a Scanning Force Microscopy to study the consequences of reducing the crystal size down to the nanoscale in ferroelectrics. In order to do that, the student will learn Piezoresponse Force Microscopy, where an electric field is applied between the tip and the sample. The deformation that appears due to the piezoelectric effect is then measured. After a training period the student should be able to obtain images of ferroelectric domains and curves corresponding to hysteresis loops. The objective is that the student can assist in the local characterization of a variety of nanostructured ferroelectric materials that our group produces in the  framework of several research projects.
The results obtained will be discussed with the other members of the group with the objective of finding better ways to prepare a material with the best possible properties. This will give the student an idea of the basic work carried out in Materials Science. The materials to study can be either ceramics of novel compositions for applications in piezoelectric sensors and actuators, or thin films to be used in flexible electronics. An introduction to the preparation of these materials will be available in our labs, as well as the characterization of their physical properties.

http://www.icmm.csic.es/es/