Advances in the modulation engineering of ferroelectrics and multiferroics with non-chemical agents and factors: a review

Abstract

This mini-review focuses on the recent advancements in ferroelectrics and multiferroics, highlighting the exploration in discovering new materials and efficient strategies for enhancing functionality. Firstly, various material systems, including perovskite oxides, organic–inorganic hybrid molecular materials, composites, and other novel compounds, are introduced. Then, modulation methods by force/pressure/stress, negative pressure, and light illumination to tailor the properties of ferroelectrics and multiferroics are analyzed, which enable access to large ferroelectric polarization, dynamics of domains, phase transitions, and room-temperature magnetoelectric coupling. Various characteristics and their underlying physical mechanisms are revealed. Finally, the significance of these studies in solving the drawbacks of ferroelectrics and multiferroics and their potential functional applications are concluded. In conclusion, these studies deepen our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing multiferroics and pave the way for new theoretical models and experimental techniques. These stimulus strategies can provide flexible and controllable means for designing and manufacturing devices with specific functionalities.