Metal regulated organic–inorganic hybrid ferroelastic materials: [(CH3)3CN(CH3)2CH2F]2[MBr4] (M = Cd and Zn)

Abstract

Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds [(CH₃)₃CN(CH₃)₂CH₂F]₂[MBr₄] (M = Cd for 1 and Zn for 2) undergo ferroelastic phase transitions with the Aizu notation of mmmF2/m, accompanied by dielectric switches. The replacement of the metal center Cd with Zn increases the ferroelastic phase transition temperature (T_c = 246 K, 262 K for 1 and 2, respectively) and the spontaneous strain value from 0.131 in compound 1 to 0.422 in 2. This work offers an effective strategy to regulate the ferroelastic phase transition by introducing different metal centers into organic–inorganic hybrid materials.