Paper

{
  "raw_xml": "<entry>\n    <id>http://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23764v1</id>\n    <title>Proton-Transfer Ferroelectrics with Exceptional Switching Endurance</title>\n    <updated>2026-03-24T22:53:56Z</updated>\n    <link href='https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23764v1' rel='alternate' type='text/html'/>\n    <link href='https://arxiv.org/pdf/2603.23764v1' rel='related' title='pdf' type='application/pdf'/>\n    <summary>Reliable organic ferroelectrics for memory applications require extreme endurance under repeated electrical switching. Here we demonstrate exceptional fatigue resistance in highly crystalline 2-methylbenzimidazole (MBI) films grown by low-temperature deposition followed by restrained crystallization (LDRC) in a simple Pt/MBI/Pt capacitor geometry. Switching kinetics analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Avrami-Ishibashi (KAI) model reveal characteristic millisecond switching times and quasi-one-dimensional domain growth associated with proton transfer along hydrogen-bond chains. Guided by these kinetics, we implemented a stringent fatigue protocol designed to maximize switching stress, involving bipolar switching at approximately 2Ec with 5 ms pulses, well beyond the characteristic switching time, for continuous operation over approximately 2 weeks. The remanent polarization exhibits only a minor wake-up (+10% within the first 10^4 cycles) and ultimately returns to approximately its initial value after 10^8 cycles, with testing limited by experimental duration rather than device failure. This robust endurance is achieved in an unengineered structure and contrasts with polymer ferroelectrics such as P(VDF-TrFE), where comparable performance typically relies on interfacial engineering. The combination of LDRC-enabled high crystallinity and localized proton-transfer switching, which introduces minimal structural perturbation during polarization reversal, enables this outstanding fatigue tolerance and highlights MBI as a simple, fluorine-free platform for durable organic ferroelectric devices.</summary>\n    <category scheme='http://arxiv.org/schemas/atom' term='cond-mat.mtrl-sci'/>\n    <category scheme='http://arxiv.org/schemas/atom' term='cond-mat.mes-hall'/>\n    <published>2026-03-24T22:53:56Z</published>\n    <arxiv:primary_category term='cond-mat.mtrl-sci'/>\n    <author>\n      <name>Bibek Tiwari</name>\n    </author>\n    <author>\n      <name>Yuanyuan Ni</name>\n    </author>\n    <author>\n      <name>Xiaoshan Xu</name>\n    </author>\n  </entry>"
}