Polarization Stability and Nanoscale Ferroelectric Switching in Self- Assembled PVDF Nanodots on Glass Substrate After Poling

The relaxation behavior of self-assembled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanodots on glass substrate with 220 nm thickness, after electrical poling was systematically investigated using piezo response force microscopy (PFM). Time progression of − 10 V (UP) and + 10 V (DOWN) polarized domains of PVDF film kept at room temperature revealed destabilization of already-established polarized ferroelectric domains. Following the PVDF films poled UP and DOWN, the self-polarization effect first produces a uniform UP polarization. UP-polarized domains start to form during the next 2.30 hours of relaxation, which reflects a slow shift in the material's vertical response. Electrical poling under ± 10 biases induced a clear 180° phase contrast, confirming reversible ferroelectric polarization switching, coercive voltages − 0.5 V to 2.3 V and strong piezoelectric coupling with a maximum local d₃₃ value of ~ 6.65 nm/V. Furthermore, information from hysteresis loops, butterfly curves, and surface potential measurements show that the migration of mobile space charges is a major factor in speeding up this relaxation process. The temporal evolution of polarization was well described by a stretched exponential model, revealing excellent stability. These findings, analogous to electric stimulate shape-memory systems, highlighting their potential for advanced ferroelectric and flexible electronic applications.