Abstract
In this work, we have performed for the first time a calculation of the ferroelectric size effect of cone-shaped nanoparticles (nanocones). To solve the appropriate Euler-Lagrange equations, a direct variational method was used. An approximate analytical expression for the phase transition temperature dependence on nanocone height and half-angle was derived. We have shown that the transition temperature may be higher by a factor of up to 2.5 compared to bulk materials.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the German Research Council (DFG) as part of the Research Group FOR 520 and by the grant UKR 05/001 (International Bureau of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research).