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Two-dimensional ferroelectricity in a single-element bismuth monolayer
Jian Gou1, Hua Bai2,3, Xuanlin Zhang2
1Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. phygouj@nus.edu.sg.
Nature
|April 5, 2023
Summary
Researchers discovered a novel single-element ferroelectric material in a bismuth layer. This breakthrough utilizes ordered charge transfer and atomic distortion, enabling switchable electric polarization without multiple ions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Ferroelectric materials exhibit switchable electric polarization due to broken inversion symmetry.
- Conventional ferroelectrics require at least two constituent ions for polarization switching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the observation of a single-element ferroelectric state.
- To investigate the mechanism of ferroelectricity in a bismuth monolayer.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical investigation of electronic structure and orbital hybridization in bismuth.
- Experimental visualization of ferroelectric switching using scanning probe microscopy.
Main Results:
- A black phosphorus-like bismuth monolayer exhibits single-element ferroelectricity.
- Ordered charge transfer and atomic distortion lead to inversion-symmetry-broken buckled structure.
- In-plane electric polarization and ferroelectric switching were experimentally confirmed.
Conclusions:
- Single-element ferroelectricity broadens the understanding of ferroelectric mechanisms.
- This discovery may lead to new applications in future ferroelectronic devices.
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