Modified Schottky emission to explain thickness dependence and slow depolarization in BaTiO3 nanowires

We investigate the origin of the depolarization rates in ultrathin adsorbate-stabilized ferroelectric wires. By applying density functional theory calculations and analytic modeling, we demonstrate that the depolarization results from the leakage of charges stored at the surface adsorbates, which play an important role in the polarization stabilization. The depolarization speed varies with thickness and temperature, following several complex trends. A comprehensive physical model is presented, in which quantum tunneling, Schottky emission, and temperature-dependent electron mobility are taken into consideration. This model simulates experimental results, validating the physical mechanism. We also expect that this improved tunneling-Schottky emission model could be applied to predict the retention time of polarization and the leakage current for various ferroelectric materials with different thicknesses and temperatures.