PolyU project develops library of polarised vdW heterobilayers for exploring novel 2D materials, securing support from NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have broad application in various electronics such as computer memory. Stacking different 2D materials in layers through van der Waals (vdW) forces may further form heterobilayers with new properties and usages. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have proposed generating a library of vdW heterobilayers with specific properties to screen for materials that have significant development potential. Demonstrating fundamental impact on the next generation of nanoelectronics, photonics and spintronics, the project has received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) 2024/25.

Led by Prof. Daniel LAU Shu Ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics of PolyU, the project “A Library of Polarized Van Der Waals Heterobilayers: From Prediction to Realization” has been awarded funding of approximately HK$3.55 million under the CRS for a duration of 48 months. The project is in collaboration with Prof. JI Wei, Chair Professor of Renmin University of China.

2D vdW heterobilayers possess rich physical and chemical properties unique to their constituent monolayers. They are fundamentally intriguing and practically appealing to scientists seeking novel physics and design of next generation devices. In their previous research, Prof. Lau and the collaborative team demonstrated unexpected out-of-plane ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity in untwisted, commensurate, and epitaxial MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers synthesised by one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This has aroused interest in exploring novel heterobilayers using CVD, and in the subsequent development of a vdW heterobilayers library.

Developing multifunctional 2D polarised electronics is crucial for the next generation of low-power dissipation, high-density memory and integrated circuits. However, the current exploration of vdW heterobilayers relies on a trial-and-error approach. The project aims to develop a simulation model to accelerate the screening of a large number of 2D vdW materials for promising polarised heterobilayers for further experimental evaluation. The model will then be reinforced for more precise prediction, enriching the family of 2D materials with multifunctional properties while also contributing to a solid database of such materials.

Prof. Daniel Lau said, “We anticipate that vdW heterobilayers could resolve the scalability and performance issues occurring in current 2D ferroelectrics. Furthermore, the results of our work may provide new insights into building high-density and energy-efficient next-generation non-volatile memory (NVM) and in-memory computing devices.”

The project is expected to demonstrate full integration of vdW heterobilayers for high-density NVM, with the aim of stimulating research interest in and attracting attention to vdW heterobilayers for ferroelectricity among academics. Its outcome will also advance the commercialisation of emerging memory devices.

The CRS aims to support larger-scale collaborative research across disciplines and/or across universities in the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing research output and impact on both sides. The six focus areas of the Scheme include Information Technology, Life Science, New Materials Science, Marine and Environmental Science, Medicine, and Management Science.

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