Temperature dependences of ferroelectricity and resistive switching behavior of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films

We investigate the resistive switching and ferroelectric polarization properties of high-quality epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films in various temperature ranges. The room temperature current–voltage (I–V) curve exhibits a well-established polarization-modulated memristor behavior. At low temperatures ( 253 K), the I–V behaviors are governed by both space-charge-limited conduction (SCLC) and Ohmic behavior. The polarization reversal is able to trigger the conduction switching from Ohmic to SCLC behavior, leading to the observed ferroelectric resistive switching. At a temperature of > 298 K, there occurs a new resistive switching hysteresis at high bias voltages, which may be related to defect-mediated effects.