Chemical Doping Engineering of Polarization and Topological Textures in van der Waals Ferroelectric CuInP 2 S 6
Abstract
ABSTRACT Precise modulation of ferroelectric properties in van der Waals (vdW) layered materials is crucial for multifunctional nanoelectronics. Here, we demonstrate that Li⁺ substitution at Cu sites (Cu 1‐x Li x InP 2 S 6 , x ≤ 0.1) concurrently enhances ferroelectric and ionic conductivities, and enriches the polarization configurations of CuInP 2 S 6 . With Li‐doping, benefiting from the strengthened Cu‐S interlayer bond and reduced interlayer spacing, the Curie temperature increases from 315 K (pristine) to 327 K ( x = 0.1), and Cu⁺ ionic conductivity activation energy is lowered from ∼0.6 eV (pristine) to ∼0.4 eV ( x = 0.1). Meanwhile, the high‐polarization state is stabilized and gives rise to the coexistence of low‐ and high‐polarization states (LP and HP), which lays a fertile ground for topological polar texture. Numerous polar bubbles and labyrinth domains with varied sizes and shapes are observed at the border between HP and LP phases. Interestingly, a strain gradient switches the HP to the LP state, establishing an intriguing flexoelectrical response and providing a mechanical pathway to tune and confine the polar texture. This work provides a feasible chemical strategy to modulate ferroelectric properties and polar configurations in vdW ferroelectrics, offering promising opportunities for advanced electronics, neuromorphic computing, and topotronics.
Fields of Study & Subjects
2D Materials and Applications
Multiferroics and related materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Advanced Science
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 16
- Pages
- e23774–e23774
- Publication date
- 5 January 2026
- Language
- EN