The PULSELiON project proudly announces its 27th Open Access publication, presenting a comprehensive review of emerging ferroelectric and ferroionic materials for multifunctional quantum sensing applications.
The article, titled “Ferroelectric and ferroionic multifunctional quantum sensors: Incursion into applications”, has been published in Applied Physics Reviews (2026, Volume 13, Article 011306) and is available Open Access.
Exploring multifunctional quantum sensing materials
Ferroelectric and ferroionic materials are attracting increasing interest because they combine coupled electrical, ionic, thermal, optical, and mechanical responses within a single material platform. These properties open exciting opportunities for the development of advanced quantum sensors and adaptive electronic devices.
This review provides a broad overview of the theoretical principles, material classes, and practical applications associated with these systems. The paper discusses several promising materials, including:
- van der Waals materials such as MoS₂, WTe₂, and CuInP₂S₆ (CIPS)
- oxide ferroelectrics including BaTiO₃
- hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites such as MAPbI₃
- emerging ferroionic glass electrolytes including Na₂.₉₉Ba₀.₀₀₅OCl and K₂.₉₉Ba₀.₀₀₅OCl
The review also highlights how ionic migration, polarization effects, and coupled charge–ion transport mechanisms can be harnessed for multifunctional sensing architectures.
Applications ranging from photodetection to smart sensing
The paper surveys applications across multiple domains, including:
- photodetectors and electro-optical modulators
- memristors and ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs)
- pressure and strain sensors
- thermal and magnetic sensing devices
- self-powered and adaptive sensing systems
Particular attention is given to the integration of ferroionic behavior with optoelectronic and neuromorphic functionalities, enabling future devices capable of simultaneous sensing, memory, and signal processing.
Toward next-generation quantum devices
The authors emphasize the importance of combining:
- nanoscale experimental characterization techniques
- multiscale theoretical simulations
- hybrid heterostructure engineering
to better understand and exploit coupled ionic-electronic dynamics in these materials. The work outlines future pathways toward programmable, adaptive, and sustainable quantum technologies.
Contribution from PULSELiON
The publication was authored by researchers from the University of Porto, including Beatriz M. Gomes, Tomás Prior, Ângela Freitas, António B. Vale, Beatriz A. Maia, Hugo Lebre, Manuela C. Baptista, Raquel Dantas, and Maria Helena Braga, within the framework of the PULSELiON Horizon Europe project (Grant Agreement No. 101069686).