2D Diluted Multiferroic Semiconductors upon Intercalation

Abstract

AbstractThe direct combination of high‐mobility semiconductors and efficient multiferroic memories within the same material is desirable for integration of multifunctional electronics but remains a challenge. Stimulated by recent progress on intercalation of layered materials, first‐principles evidence of 2D room‐temperature multiferroicity in a series of doped metal dichalcogenides is shown, mainly focused on intercalated MoS2 and Bi2Se3. The intercalated ions may induce a switchable vertical polarization for high‐density recording as well as electrically tunable magnetism for highly efficient “electric writing + magnetic reading.” Akin to diluted magnetic semiconductors, certain multiferroic regions can be selectively formed via such doping, which can be directly integrated in the high‐mobility semiconductor wafer like n/p doping channels. In particular, other intriguing properties such as topological superconductivity may also be endowed in ferroelectric metal CuxBi2Se3. The bandgap of the intercalated systems can also be tuned via control of the doping density of ions, which may render a spatial‐varying bandgap for efficient light adsorption plus the enhanced exciton separation and open‐circuit voltage for ferroelectric photovoltaics.