Prediction of two-dimensional ferroelectric metal Mxenes

Metals with spontaneous electric polarization have exhibited fascinating characteristics that could improve the performance of nanoelectronics. As of yet, only a few metals with electrical polarization (polar metals) have been discovered. Most of those polar metals are bulk materials, thus, the polarization direction cannot be switched using an external electric field. Here, using first principles calculations, we demonstrate that 2D Nb2NF2, which belongs to the Mxene family, has good reversible out-of-plane electrical polarization and the characteristics of a metal. The ground state structure of ferroelectric 2D Nb2NF2 is unique and a 2D material with such a ground state structure has not been reported elsewhere. Furthermore, 72 2D surface functionalized Mxene compositions (M2XS2:M = Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W and Mn; X = C and N; S = O, OH and F) were investigated and only 2D Nb2NF2 showed dynamic and thermal stability in the novel ground state. However, there is a large variety of Mxenes to be explored, therefore, the identified ferroelectric ground state will pave the way to discover novel 2D ferroelectric Mxenes with various attributes. Showing metallicity and ferroelectricity simultaneously, 2D Nb2NF2 can play a major role in designing next generation materials with extraordinary properties.

Automated summary

Metals with spontaneous electric polarization show promising characteristics for enhancing nanoelectronics, with 2D Nb2NF2 being a unique ferroelectric metal with reversible out-of-plane electrical polarization. Among 72 investigated 2D surface functionalized Mxene compositions, only Nb2NF2 showed stability in a novel ground state, suggesting potential for discovering novel 2D ferroelectric Mxenes with different attributes.