Size-driven ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition in TGS nanocomposites

Dielectric properties of porous glass nanocomposites with TGS crystals embedded into six porous matrices with average pore size from 5 to 312 nm were investigated in the temperature range from 280 to 380 K at selected frequencies. The results are discussed based on the effect of the particle size on the phase transition temperature of TGS nanocomposites. Temperature-size phase diagram of TGS composites was derived. Non-monotonic character of the temperature-driven phase transition (Tp) with the decreasing particle size was determined. The nature of the Tp variation can be ascribed to the size-effect theoretically predicted by Zhong et al. (Phys Rev B 50:698-703, 1994).