Exploiting self-assembled nanocomposites allows the emergence of new ground states and multifunctionalities within a heterosystem. Particularly, in the form of vertically aligned nanocomposites, densely distributed vertical heterointerfaces enable three-dimensional engineering control, efficient and flexible. These three-dimensional nanocomposites provide a vast platform for tuning magnetic and electronic properties in functional perovskite oxide, such as rare earth manganates. Here, we explored a vertically aligned system composed of orthorhombic SmMnO₃ as matrix and stiff NiO as embedded phase, both are antiferromagnetic. The atomic structure and unique structural distortion were determined using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy. By using piezoelectric force microscopy, the well-defined piezoresponse with 180° phase switching was observed, and macroscopic ferroelectric tests were further performed to demonstrate a polarization of 0.017 μC/cm² at room temperature. Furthermore, clear ferromagnetism signal with Curie temperature of about 120 K was revealed via well-defined hysteresis loops and temperature-dependent magnetization curve, suggesting the effectiveness of integrating antiferromagnetic building blocks to induce magnetic interaction. The present work provides a feasible pathway to engineer potential multiferroic by combining lattice rotation and vertical-interface-mediated magnetic coupling approach.

中文翻译：

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SmMnO3：NiO 纳米复合材料中的新兴铁序

利用自组装纳米复合材料可以在异质系统中出现新的基态和多功能性。特别是，以垂直排列的纳米复合材料的形式，密集分布的垂直异质界面实现了三维工程控制，高效且灵活。这些三维纳米复合材料为调整功能性钙钛矿氧化物（如稀土锰酸盐）的磁性和电子特性提供了广阔的平台。在这里，我们探索了一个垂直排列的系统，该系统由正交 SmMnO ₃ 作为基体和刚性 NiO 作为嵌入相组成，两者都是反铁磁性的。使用像差校正透射电子显微镜确定原子结构和独特结构畸变。通过使用压电力显微镜，观察到具有 180° 相位切换的清晰定义的压电响应，并进一步进行宏观铁电测试，证明室温下极化为 0.017 μC/cm ² 。此外，通过明确的磁滞回线和温度依赖性磁化曲线揭示了居里温度约为 120 K 的清晰铁磁性信号，表明集成反铁磁构建块以诱导磁相互作用的有效性。目前的工作通过结合晶格旋转和垂直界面介导的磁耦合方法，为设计潜在的多铁性提供了一种可行的途径。