A unique and discrete Ce(iii) macrocyclic complex exhibits ferroelectric, dielectric, and slow relaxation of magnetization properties

Abstract

A discrete [Ce(L1)(NO₃)₃] (1; L1 = macrocyclic Schiff base ligand) complex exhibits both ferroelectricity and magnetic bistability together, which is extremely rare and challenging to achieve. The presence of the Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) signal in 1 implies the presence of a non-centrosymmetric space/point group associated with this complex. The ferroelectric phase transition temperature in 1 is observed at room temperature (303 K), which is confirmed by dielectric measurements. Switching the spontaneous polarization in 1 requires a low external electric field (2 V). The presence of magnetic bistability in 1 was confirmed by the frequency-dependent out-of-phase susceptibility signals (H_dc = 1.5 kOe) and the effective energy barrier for the magnetization reversal is estimated to be 29.04 K. Therefore 1 is envisaged as a potential molecular-based multiferroic and can be considered for low power memory applications.