Periodic Ferroelectric Stripe Domains in α-In₂Se₃ Nanoflakes Grown via Reverse-Flow Chemical Vapor Deposition

The two-dimensional (2D) layered semiconductor α-In₂Se₃ has aroused great interest in atomic-scale ferroelectric transistors, artificial synapses, and nonvolatile memory devices due to its distinguished 2D ferroelectric properties. We have synthesized α-In₂Se₃ nanosheets with rare in-plane ferroelectric stripe domains at room temperature on mica substrates using a reverse flow chemical vapor deposition (RFCVD) method and optimized growth parameters. This stripe domain contrast is found to be strongly correlated to the stacking of layers, and the interrelated out-of-plane (OOP) and in-plane (IP) polarization can be manipulated by mapping the artificial domain structure. The acquisition of amplitude and phase hysteresis loops confirms the OOP polarization ferroelectric property. The emergence of striped domains enriches the variety of the ferroelectric structure types and novel properties of 2D In₂Se₃. This work paves a new way for the controllable growth of van der Waals ferroelectrics and facilitates the development of novel ferroelectric memory device applications.