Towards Multiferroicity in Two-Dimensional Van Der Waals Materials: Challenges and Opportunities

Multiferroics provide an exceptional platform for investigating the interplay among multiple degrees of freedom, including charge, spin, lattice, and orbital interactions. This material is also an ideal candidate for next-generation low-power information devices and high-sensitivity sensors. Recent discoveries have identified multiferroicity and its mutual coupling in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals systems, offering a unique dimensional framework for developing multiferroic materials and exploring multiorder coupling. In this perspective, we highlight the advantages of the 2D framework in processing multiferroics and provide a concise review of the latest advances in 2D van der Waals multiferroics. We especially focus on strategies to induce additional ferroic orders in existing 2D ferroic materials. Finally, we discuss the challenges associated with the design, detection, and performance enhancement of 2D multiferroic materials and their potential applications in future devices.