Edge polarization topology integrated with sliding ferroelectricity in Moiré system

WC Fan and Z Guan and LQ Wei and HW Xu and WY Tong and M Tian and N Wan and CS Yao and JD Zheng and BB Chen and PH Xiang and N Zhong and CG Duan, NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 16, 3557 (2025).

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58877-1

Van der Waals moir & eacute; heterostructure have been found to exhibits a robust interfacial ferroelectricity down to atomic thickness, and discovering and understanding the complex polarization state in moir & eacute; systems is of fundamental interest to condensed-matter research. In this study, we examine the moir & eacute; ferroelectricity in twisted h-BN heterostructure by piezoresponse force microscopy. Due to atomic reconstruction, triangular moir & eacute; patterns are detected, and we directly observe sliding ferroelectricity in the center of triangular moir & eacute; patterns as well as robust in-plane polarization topology emerging at the boundary of adjacent triangles, which we call edge polarization. The edge polarization possesses non-trivial and robust vortex polarization topology. Our calculations trace the origin of this phenomenon to joined piezoelectric effects with sliding ferroelectricity. This work provides intuitive insights to explore the unique moir & eacute; ferroelectricity in non-polar background matrix, and the inherent stability of the topological structures ensures reliable and durable performance of electronic devices.

Return to Publications page