Atomic structure, work function and magnetism in layered single crystal VOCl

Abstract We report the successful growth of square-like layered single crystals VOCl with a size of a few millimeters by chemical vapor transport method, and demonstrate that the layered crystals show good air stability and can be easily exfoliated. The atomic-resolution structure of the VOCl single crystals is consistent with the theoretical atomic models and the exfoliated VOCl flakes exhibit a uniform surface potential and a thickness-independent work function in the interval of 4–263 nm. Further magnetic measurements manifest that the VOCl crystal exhibit an N-type ferrimagnetic phase at 150 K and a compensation temperature of ~50 K. These findings not only enrich the magnetic family in layered materials but offer a platform for exploring new physics, and such study of microstructure, air stability, work function and magnetism in layered VOCl should push further the development of functionality tunable microwave devices or spintronics with all-layered materials.