Observation of Ferroelastic and Ferroelectric Domains in AgNbO3 Single Crystal

Compared to AgNbO 3 based ceramics, the experimental investigations on the single crystalline AgNbO 3 , especially the ground state and ferroic domain structures, are not on the same level. Here, based on successfully synthesized AgNbO 3 single crystal using a flux method, we observed the coexistence of ferroelastic and ferroelectric domain structures by a combination study of polarized light microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy. This finding may provide a new aspect for studying AgNbO 3 . The result also suggests a weak electromechanical response from the ferroelectric phase of AgNbO 3 , which is also supported by the transmission electron microscope characterization. Our results reveal that the AgNbO 3 single crystal is in a polar ferroelectric phase at room temperature, clarifying its ground state which is controversial from the AgNbO 3 ceramic materials.