Room‐Temperature Multiferroic Liquids: Ferroelectric and Ferromagnetic Order in a Hybrid Nanoparticle–Liquid Crystal System

H Hajnalka Nádasi (Institute of Physics Otto von Guericke University Universitätsplatz 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany) P Peter Medle Rupnik (Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SL‐1000 Slovenia) M Melvin Küster (Institute of Electrical Measurement Science and Fundamental Electrical Engineering and Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology TU Braunschweig Hans‐Sommer‐Str. 66 38106 Braunschweig Germany) A Alexander Jarosik (Institute of Physics Otto von Guericke University Universitätsplatz 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany) R Rachel Tuffin M Matthias Bremer (Merck Electronics KGaA Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt Germany) M Melanie Klasen‐Memmer (Merck Electronics KGaA Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt Germany) D Darja Lisjak N Nerea Sebastián (Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SL‐1000 Slovenia) A Alenka Mertelj (Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SL‐1000 Slovenia) F Frank Ludwig (Institute of Electrical Measurement Science and Fundamental Electrical Engineering and Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology TU Braunschweig Hans‐Sommer‐Str. 66 38106 Braunschweig Germany) A Alexey Eremin (Institute of Physics Otto von Guericke University Universitätsplatz 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany)

Abstract

AbstractResponsiveness to multiple stimuli and adaptivity are paramount for designing smart multifunctional materials. In soft, partially ordered systems, these features can often be achieved via self‐assembly, allowing for the combination of diverse components in a complex nanostructured material. Here, an example of a liquid is demonstrated that simultaneously displays both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic types of order. This material is a nanostructured liquid crystalline hybrid comprising ferrimagnetic barium hexaferrite nanoplatelets suspended in a ferroelectric nematic host. Director‐mediated interactions drive the self‐assembly of nanoplatelets in an intricate network. Due to the coupling between the polar electric and magnetic types of order, this material demonstrates magnetically driven electric and nonlinear optical responses, as well as electrically driven magnetic response. Such multiferroic liquids are highly promising for applications in energy harvesting, nonlinear optics, and sensors.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 41
Published October 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

H

Hajnalka Nádasi

Institute of Physics Otto von Guericke University Universitätsplatz 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany

P

Peter Medle Rupnik

Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SL‐1000 Slovenia

M

Melvin Küster

Institute of Electrical Measurement Science and Fundamental Electrical Engineering and Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology TU Braunschweig Hans‐Sommer‐Str. 66 38106 Braunschweig Germany

A

Alexander Jarosik

Institute of Physics Otto von Guericke University Universitätsplatz 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany

R

Rachel Tuffin

M

Matthias Bremer

Merck Electronics KGaA Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt Germany

M

Melanie Klasen‐Memmer

Merck Electronics KGaA Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt Germany

D

Darja Lisjak

N

Nerea Sebastián

Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SL‐1000 Slovenia

A

Alenka Mertelj

Jožef Stefan Institute Jamova cesta 39 Ljubljana SL‐1000 Slovenia

F

Frank Ludwig

Institute of Electrical Measurement Science and Fundamental Electrical Engineering and Laboratory for Emerging Nanometrology TU Braunschweig Hans‐Sommer‐Str. 66 38106 Braunschweig Germany

A

Alexey Eremin

Institute of Physics Otto von Guericke University Universitätsplatz 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany