DataVXACS NanoPaper
journal article·2025-11-18

Phase Transition of Moiré Edges in Interfacial Ferroelectrics

Zhao Guan, Wen-cheng Fan, Lu-qi Wei, Wei Cao, Wen-yi Tong, Ming Tian, Neng Wan, Wei-hao Sun, Bin-bin Chen, Ping-hua Xiang, Chun-gang Duan, Ni Zhong

ACS Nano· Volume 19· Issue 45
Publisher page
Source abstract

Abstract

Moiré superlattices based on twisted van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have recently emerged as platforms exhibiting intriguing electrical properties. In particular, interfacial ferroelectricity has been observed in marginally twisted moiré superlattices that break the inversion symmetry, exhibiting adjacent domains with opposite polarization. Polarization switching in these systems is mediated by moiré edge shifts; however, the underlying physical mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this work, by combining in situ scanning probe microscopy with theoretical modeling, we reveal a phase transition of the moiré edge in which its geometry reversibly transforms from convex to concave, accompanied by the splitting of a single domain wall into three. This phase transition can be triggered by localized pressure applied by the probe tip, which induces bending of the moiré edge and results in local interlayer sliding. This finding provides a pathway for tuning the electronic properties of moiré superlattices by engineering the structure and dynamics of moiré edges.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

Electronic materials

OpenAlex topics: 2D Materials and Applications · Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials · Topological Materials and Phenomena

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center of Brain-inspired Intelligent Materials and Devices, Department of Electronics

East China Normal University

State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering

Nanjing Tech University

Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, School of Integrated Circuits

Southeast University

State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (MOE), and Department of Physics

Fudan University

Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics

Shanxi University

Funding

East China Normal University · National Key Research and Development Program of China · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Jiangsu Specially Appointed Professors Program · State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering

References (37)

Show source-provided references
1. 10.1038/nature1238510.1038/nature12385 ↗
2. 10.1038/s41586-021-04173-z10.1038/s41586-021-04173-z ↗
3. 10.1038/s41586-020-2567-310.1038/s41586-020-2567-3 ↗
4. 10.1038/nature2616010.1038/nature26160 ↗
5. 10.1038/s41586-019-0975-z10.1038/s41586-019-0975-z ↗
6. 10.1038/nature1218610.1038/nature12186 ↗
7. 10.1038/s42254-024-00781-610.1038/s42254-024-00781-6 ↗
8. 10.1016/j.jmps.2024.10569310.1016/j.jmps.2024.105693 ↗
9. 10.1038/s41563-021-00973-w10.1038/s41563-021-00973-w ↗
10. 10.1103/PhysRevB.71.23541510.1103/PhysRevB.71.235415 ↗
11. 10.1038/s41563-019-0346-z10.1038/s41563-019-0346-z ↗
12. 10.1126/science.adp357510.1126/science.adp3575 ↗
13. 10.1126/science.ado174410.1126/science.ado1744 ↗
14. 10.1038/s41467-022-35477-x10.1038/s41467-022-35477-x ↗
15. 10.1088/2053-1583/aceb7510.1088/2053-1583/aceb75 ↗
16. 10.1038/s41467-025-58877-110.1038/s41467-025-58877-1 ↗
17. 10.1126/science.adp709910.1126/science.adp7099 ↗
18. 10.1038/s41467-023-37337-810.1038/s41467-023-37337-8 ↗
19. 10.1126/science.abd323010.1126/science.abd3230 ↗
20. 10.1038/s41467-025-56073-910.1038/s41467-025-56073-9 ↗
21. 10.1038/s41565-022-01072-w10.1038/s41565-022-01072-w ↗
22. 10.1038/s41563-023-01595-010.1038/s41563-023-01595-0 ↗
23. 10.1038/s41467-020-20667-210.1038/s41467-020-20667-2 ↗
24. 10.3390/sym1611152410.3390/sym16111524 ↗
25. 10.1021/acsami.2c2041110.1021/acsami.2c20411 ↗
26. 10.1002/adma.20241056310.1002/adma.202410563 ↗
27. 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c0268110.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02681 ↗
28. 10.1002/adma.20220781610.1002/adma.202207816 ↗
29. 10.1126/science.ado603810.1126/science.ado6038 ↗
30. 10.1006/jcph.1995.103910.1006/jcph.1995.1039 ↗
31. 10.1007/s10338-018-0049-z10.1007/s10338-018-0049-z ↗
32. 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c0454010.1021/acs.jpca.3c04540 ↗
33. 10.1016/j.commatsci.2020.10958410.1016/j.commatsci.2020.109584 ↗
34. 10.6028/jres.049.04410.6028/jres.049.044 ↗
35. 10.1126/science.abe817710.1126/science.abe8177 ↗
36. 10.1021/acsnano.0c0755810.1021/acsnano.0c07558 ↗
37. 10.1021/ja00051a04010.1021/ja00051a040 ↗