Controllable CVD Growth of 2D Cr₅Te₈ Nanosheets with Thickness-Dependent Magnetic Domains

As a unique 2D magnetic material with self-intercalated structure, Cr₅Te₈ exhibits many intriguing magnetic properties. While its ferromagnetism of Cr₅Te₈ has been previously reported, the research on its magnetic domain remains unexplored. Herein, we have successfully fabricated 2D Cr₅Te₈ nanosheets with controlled thickness and lateral size by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Then magnetic property measurement system revealed Cr₅Te₈ nanosheets exhibiting intense out-of-plane ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature (T_C) of 176 K. Significantly, we reported for the first time two magnetic domains: magnetic bubbles and thickness-dependent maze-like magnetic domains in our Cr₅Te₈ nanosheets by cryogenic magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The domain width of the maze-like magnetic domains increases rapidly with decreasing sample thickness; meanwhile, the domain contrast decreases. This indicates the dominant role of ferromagnetism shifts from dipolar interactions to magnetic anisotropy. Our research not only establishes a pathway for the controllable growth of 2D magnetic materials but also points toward novel avenues for regulating magnetic phases and methodically tuning domain characteristics.