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Low-dimensional piezoelectric and quantum piezotronics are two important branches of low-dimensional materials, playing a significant role in the advancement of low-dimensional devices, circuits, and systems. Here, we firstly propose a solid-phase sintering and vapor–liquid–solid growth (SS–VLS-like) method of preparing a quantum-sized oxide material, i.e., black phosphorus (BP)@MgO quantum dot (QD) crystal with a strong piezoelectric response. Quantum-sized MgO was obtained by Mg slowly released from MgB2 within the confinement of a nanoflake BP matrix. Since the slow release of Mg only grows nanometer-sized MgO to hinder the further growth of MgO, we added a heterostructure matrix constraint: nanoflake BP. With the BP as the matrix confinement, MgO QDs embedded in the BP@MgO QD crystals were formed. These crystals have a layered two-dimensional (2D) structure with a thickness of 11 nm and are stable in the air. In addition, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) images show that they have extremely strong polarity. The strong polarity can also be proved by polarization reversal and a simple pressure sensor.


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Solid-phase sintering and vapor–liquid–solid growth of BP@MgO quantum dot crystals with a high piezoelectric response

Show Author's information Qingwei LIAOa,b,c( )Wei HOUaKexuan LIAOdLiyin CHENe( )Yujun SONGf( )Guowei GAOa,b,cLei QINa,b,c( )
Key Laboratory of Sensors, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100192, China
Key Laboratory of Modern Measurement & Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100192, China
Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Testing Technology, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100192, China
School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge 02138, USA
Center of Modern Physics Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

Abstract

Low-dimensional piezoelectric and quantum piezotronics are two important branches of low-dimensional materials, playing a significant role in the advancement of low-dimensional devices, circuits, and systems. Here, we firstly propose a solid-phase sintering and vapor–liquid–solid growth (SS–VLS-like) method of preparing a quantum-sized oxide material, i.e., black phosphorus (BP)@MgO quantum dot (QD) crystal with a strong piezoelectric response. Quantum-sized MgO was obtained by Mg slowly released from MgB2 within the confinement of a nanoflake BP matrix. Since the slow release of Mg only grows nanometer-sized MgO to hinder the further growth of MgO, we added a heterostructure matrix constraint: nanoflake BP. With the BP as the matrix confinement, MgO QDs embedded in the BP@MgO QD crystals were formed. These crystals have a layered two-dimensional (2D) structure with a thickness of 11 nm and are stable in the air. In addition, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) images show that they have extremely strong polarity. The strong polarity can also be proved by polarization reversal and a simple pressure sensor.

Keywords: piezoelectric, MgO, quantum dots (QDs), black phosphorus (BP)

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Publication history

Received: 28 May 2022
Revised: 11 August 2022
Accepted: 11 August 2022
Published: 19 October 2022
Issue date: November 2022

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© The Author(s) 2022.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U2006218, 901203520, 51971029, 61871043, and 62101055), BRICS STI Framework Programme by NSFC (No. 51861145309), Qin Xin Talents Cultivation Program of Beijing Information Science & Technology University (No. QXTCP A202103), and Scientific Research Level Improvement Project— Key Research Cultivation Project, Beijing Information Science & Technology University (No. 2020KYNH221).

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