Growth and stabilization of two-dimensional multiferroics MnI₂

MnI₂ is one of the important multiferroics materials with a layered, nearly two-dimensional (2D) structure due to van der Waals bonds. In this work, we developed physical vapor deposition and mechanical exfoliation methods to prepare 2D MnI₂ flakes on amorphous SiO₂ substrates. The morphologies, composition and structure properties of the 2D MnI₂ flakes were characterized by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electronic microscope and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, we systematically studied the degradation of the MnI₂ flakes. With h-BN and PMMA as protective materials, we improved the stability of the MnI₂ flakes and slow down the degradation process under moisture conditions. In this regard, we provided MnI₂ flakes as new 2D materials with effective protection, which may pave the way for the application of low dimensional multiferroics materials in the future.