Growth behavior and electrical characteristics of organic molecular Croconic acid and Squaric Acid thin films

Croconic acid and Squaric acid are notable organic ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials, respectively, exhibiting significant polarization in their single crystal forms, with potential device applications and as energy storage materials [1,2]. This study investigates molecular thin films created through vacuum deposition, showing better adhesion to inorganic substrates such as sapphire than other organic ferroelectrics like Methyl Benzimidazole (MBI) and Dichloride Methyl Benzimidazole (DC-MBI) [3]. The low-temperature deposition is an essential key for controlled nucleation for desired 2D morphology but could complex the crystallization process. We thus investigate the effects of annealing vital on these systems enhancing crystal growth for their advantageous electrical behavior, while also observing the common morphological traits and differences between these two ferroic molecular films.



[1] Horiuchi, S., Kagawa, F., Hatahara, K. et al., Nat Commun 3, 1308 (2012)

[2] Horiuchi, S., et al. Chem. Sci., 9, 425-432 (2018)

[3] Tiwari, B., et.al. CrystEngComm, ,26, 3880-3887 (2024)