PolyU project develops a library of polarized vdW heterobilayers for advancing computing applications supported by NSFC / RGC Collaborative Research Scheme

Discovering emerging nanomaterials and their potential can drive innovation for advancing computing applications. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scientist has proposed to generate a library of van der Waals (vdW) heterobilayers with specific properties, which are essential for the next generation of nanoelectronics, photonics, and spintronics. This 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 received support from the NSFC / RGC CRS. It is awarded approximately HK$3.55 million for a duration of 48 months. This project is in collaboration with Prof. JI Wei of Renmin University of China.

Two-dimensional (2D) vdW heterobilayers are fundamentally intriguing and practically appealing to explore novel physics and design next generation devices. It possesses rich physical and chemical properties unique to its constituent monolayers.

Prof. LAU and the collaborative research team have demonstrated unexpected out-of-plane ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity in untwisted, commensurate, and epitaxial MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers synthesised by one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The result has stimulated interest in exploring novel heterobilayers using CVD, and the subsequent development of a vdW heterobilayers library. 

In the long term, developing multifunctional 2D polarized 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. For a groundbreaking advancement, this project aims to develop a simulation model to screen a large number of vdW 2D materials for polarized heterobilayers. 

Significantly, the model will accelerate the screening of promising polarized vdW heterobilayers for further experimental evaluation. The model will then be reinforced for more precise prediction, contributing to the enrichment of the 2D family with multifunctional properties. 

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

The project is expected to demonstrate the full integration of vdW heterobilayers for high-density NVM, aiming to stimulate academic interest and attract attention to vdW heterobilayers for ferroelectricity. This effort also paves the way for realising the commercialisation of NVM and in-memory computing devices.

The NSFC / RGC 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 include Information Technology, Life Science, New Materials Science, Marine and Environmental Science, Medicine, and Management Science.