Unique cation-template three-dimensional hybrid material demonstrates dielectric switchable response.

The strict tolerance space of three-dimensional (3D) crystalline structures is still a significant challenge in the area of switching dielectrics in comparison with lower-dimensional structures. Generally, the function of crystalline materials can be given or adjusted by controlling the environment in which synthesis takes place or the packing rearrangement. Using this method, special functional enhancements or changes in the dielectrics can be realized by improving the synthetic strategies. Here, a 3D switchable dielectric compound [MeHdabco]K(BF4)3 was achieved by employing the temperature selective effect. In particular, its structure is completely different from the usual 3D perovskite structure, which is constructed using two different cation-template frameworks. Moreover, the 3D [MeHdabco]K(BF4)3 shows a structural phase transition at 358 K. The thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) and X-ray diffractometry results provided evidence of these phase changes. This work provides a feasible strategy that can be used to achieve the different structures of an 'isomer', and enrich the method used for designing diverse functional materials.