On the piezoelectric properties of multiferroic nanofilms with allowance for the flexoelectric effect on morphotropic phase boundary

Abstract

The minimum size (nanoscale) of various phases occurring on the morphotropic phase boundary is determined based on the dislocation theory. It is shown that the flexoelectric effect is strong on this boundary, which explains the anomalous piezoelectric properties of nanoscale epitaxial structures, regardless of the type of crystal material. The debated question of the value of piezoelectric coefficients in favor of classical estimate is considered on the basis of dimensional relations and experimental data.