A polar oxyhalogen-vanadate compound (C5NH13Cl)2VOCl4 with optical and two-staged dielectric switch behavior

Abstract

Polar organic–inorganic hybrid materials have been applied in ferroelectricity, as well as in devices based on nonlinear optical and piezoelectricity properties. Here, we used a rectangular pyramid structure of [VOCl₄]²⁻ to construct a polar compound (C₅NH₁₃Cl)₂VOCl₄ (1). Compound 1 crystallized in the monoclinic P2₁ space group. Coexistence of nonlinear optical switching behavior (space-group change from P2₁ to P2₁/n) and two-staged thermosensitive dielectric switching properties could be achieved under the stimulus of temperature. Our findings provide an effective approach for construction of polar materials.