Origin of Two-Dimensional Vertical Ferroelectricity in WTe2 Bilayer and Multilayer

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Abstract
In a recent report (Nature 2018, 560, 336), room-temperature vertical ferroelectricity was experimentally shown in WTe2 bilayer, while its mechanism of ferroelectric switching without vertical ion displacements remains unclarified. In this work we reveal its origin by first-principles calculations that the polarization stems from uncompensated interlayer vertical charge transfer depending on in-plane translation, which can be switched upon interlayer sliding. The calculated results are consistent with experimental data, and similar switching mechanism can be applied to multilayer counterpart. Despite its small ferroelectric switching barrier and polarization, the in-plane rigidity of WTe2 layer gives rise to a high Curie temperature. A Moire pattern of ferroelectric domain superlattice can be formed and tuned upon a small-angle twist of bilayer, which is unique compared with traditional ferroelectrics. Similar interlayer translational ferroelectricity may exist in a series of van der Waals bilayers or even bulk phases.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21573084)

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