Ferrorotational Selectivity in Ilmenites

Xiaochen Fang, Chandan De, Fei Ting Huang, Xianghan Xu, Kai Du, Kefeng Wang, Bingqing Li, Sang Wook Cheong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unlike what happens in conventional ferroics, the ferrorotational (FR) domain manipulation and visualization in FR materials are nontrivial as they are invariant under both space-inversion and time-reversal operations. FR domains have recently been observed by using the linear electrogyration (EG) effect and X-ray diffraction (XRD) diffraction mapping. However, ferrorotational selectivity, such as the selective processing of the FR domains and direct visualization of the FR domains, e.g., under an optical microscope, would be the next step to study the FR domains and their possible applications in technology. Unexpectedly, we discovered that the microscopic FR structural distortions in ilmenite crystals can be directly coupled with macroscopic mechanical rotations in such a way that FR domains can be visualized under an optical microscope after innovative rotational polishing, a combined ion milling with a specific rotational polishing, or a twisting-induced fracturing process. Thus, the FR domains could be a unique medium to register the memory of a rotational mechanical process due to a novel selective coupling between its microscopic structural rotations and an external macroscopic rotation. Analogous to the important enantioselectivity in modern chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry, this newly discovered ferrorotational selectivity opens up opportunities for FR manipulation and new FR functionality-based applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)28022-28029
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume145
Issue number51
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 27 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Chemical Society

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

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