Topotactic Growth of Free-Standing Two-Dimensional Perovskite Niobates with Low Symmetry Phase

Here, we report a novel topotactic method to grow 2D free-standing perovskite using KNbO₃ (KN) as a model system. Perovskite KN with monoclinic phase, distorted by as large as ∼6 degrees compared with orthorhombic KN, is obtained from 2D KNbO₂ after oxygen-assisted annealing at relatively low temperature (530 °C). Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) measurements confirm that the 2D KN sheets show strong spontaneous polarization (P_s) along [101̅]_pc direction and a weak in-plane polarization, which is consistent with theoretical predictions. Thickness-dependent stripe domains, with increased surface displacement and PFM phase changes, are observed along the monoclinic tilt direction, indicating the preserved strain in KN induces the variation of nanoscale ferroelectric properties. 2D perovskite KN with low symmetry phase stable at room temperature will provide new opportunities in the exploration of nanoscale information storage devices and better understanding of ferroelectric/ferroelastic phenomena in 2D perovskite oxides.