A two-dimensional multiferroic metal with voltage-tunable magnetization and metallicity

We design a multiferroic metal that combines seemingly incompatible ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and metallicity by hole doping a two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric with high density of states near the Fermi level. The strong magnetoelectric effect is demonstrated in hole-doped and arsenic-doped monolayer α-In₂Se₃ using first-principles calculations. Taking advantage of the oppositely charged surfaces created by an out-of-plane polarization, the 2D magnetization and metallicity can be electrically switched on and off in an asymmetrically doped monolayer. The substitutional arsenic defect pair exhibits an intriguing electric field-tunable charge disproportionation process accompanied by an on-off switch of local magnetic moments. The charge ordering process can be controlled by tuning the relative strength of on-site Coulomb repulsion and defect dipole-polarization coupling via strain engineering. Our design principle relying on no transition metal broadens the materials design space for 2D multiferroic metals.