Tuning the electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional AgBiP2Se6 and AgInP2Se6 Janus monolayers

Relaxor Antiferroelectric Dynamics for Neuromorphic Computing

Relaxor antiferroelectric (AFE) materials display a gradual polarization response and high energy storage density with polarization slowly reverting after removing an external field. This distinctive polarization-switching behavior closely resembles synaptic plasticity in biological nervous systems, presenting substantial potential for neuromorphic computing applications. Especially, its 2D scenario exhibits unique physical properties and maintains stability at atomic thickness due to their antipolar alignment, which effectively eliminates the depolarization field effect. Such stable 2D relaxor AFE materials offer significant advantages for integrating these materials into modern electronic devices for neuromorphic computing. In this study, the potential of a novel quaternary layered AFE material, CuBiP₂Se₆ (CBPS), is explored for neuromorphic device applications. CBPS exhibits a broad range of light absorption and stable relaxor AFE behavior, rendering it an outstanding candidate for optoelectronic synaptic devices. High-quality CBPS is synthesized and its AFE properties through various characterization techniques are verified. CBPS-based synaptic devices demonstrate dual-mode tunable resistance plasticity stimulated by both electrical and optical inputs, demonstrating the capacity to perform in-sensor computing for image restoration tasks. These findings suggest that relaxor AFE materials like CBPS could provide a robust platform for various brain-inspired applications, particularly in neuromorphic computing, and artificial visual systems.

Co3X8 (X = Cl and Br): multiple phases and magnetic properties of the Kagome lattice

The unique magnetic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials have demonstrated huge potential for applications in nanodevices and spintronics. In this work, we propose a new Kagome lattice, Co3X8 (X = Cl and Br), based on density functional theory (DFT) calculation. We find that Co/X in Co3X8 has spontaneous movement in the lattice, resulting in 156- and 12-phases of Co3X8 and diverse magnetic and electronic properties. We show that the magnetic and electronic properties of Co3X8 can be engineered by strain, and the magnetic properties of Co3X8 are highly related to the spontaneous movement of X. Moreover, the transmission property of 12-Co3X8 shows clear angle-dependent features due to the symmetry breaking as caused by the spontaneous movement of X. Our findings may provide not only a possible Kagome lattice with unique properties, but also a strategy for designing nanodevices and for spintronics.