In-plane optical anisotropy of two-dimensional VOCl single crystal with weak interlayer interaction

Transition-metal oxyhalides MOX ( M = Fe, Cr, V; O = oxygen, X = F, Cl, Br, I), an emerging type of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials, have been both theoretically and experimentally demonstrated to possess unique electronic and magnetic properties. However, the intrinsic in-plane anisotropic properties of 2D VOCl still lacks in-depth research, especially optical anisotropy. Herein, a systematic Raman spectroscopic study is performed on VOCl single-crystal with different incident laser polarization at various temperatures. The polarized-dependent Raman scattering spectra reveal that the A g mode of VOCl show a 2-lobed shape in parallel polarization configuration while a 4-lobed shape in vertical configuration. In addition, the temperature-dependent and thickness-dependent Raman scattering spectra confirm a relatively weak van der Waals interaction between each layers among VOCl single crystal. These findings might provide better understanding on the in-plane anisotropic phenomenon in VOCl layers, thus will accelate further application of 2D single crystals for nanoscale angle-dependent optoelectronics.