Evidence for multiferroicity in single-layer CuCrSe₂

Multiferroic materials, which simultaneously exhibit ferroelectricity and magnetism, have attracted substantial attention due to their fascinating physical properties and potential technological applications. With the trends towards device miniaturization, there is an increasing demand for the persistence of multiferroicity in single-layer materials at elevated temperatures. Here, we report high-temperature multiferroicity in single-layer CuCrSe₂, which hosts room-temperature ferroelectricity and 120 K ferromagnetism. Notably, the ferromagnetic coupling in single-layer CuCrSe₂ is enhanced by the ferroelectricity-induced orbital shift of Cr atoms, which is distinct from both types I and II multiferroicity. These findings are supported by a combination of second-harmonic generation, piezo-response force microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, magnetic, and Hall measurements. Our research provides not only an exemplary platform for delving into intrinsic magnetoelectric interactions at the single-layer limit but also sheds light on potential development of electronic and spintronic devices utilizing two-dimensional multiferroics.

Zhenyu Sun, Yueqi Su, Aomiao Zhi, Zhicheng Gao, Xu Han, Kang Wu, Lihong Bao, Yuan Huang, Youguo Shi, Xuedong Bai, Peng Cheng, Lan Chen, Kehui Wu, Xuezeng Tian, Changzheng Wu, Baojie Feng