Accelerated Degradation of CrCl₃ Nanoflakes Induced by Metal Electrodes: Implications for Remediation in Nanodevice Fabrication

Two-dimensional (2D) layered magnetic materials have attracted great attention in recent years because of the discovery of long-range order of magnetism down to the monolayer and its expected application in novel devices such as spintronic devices and magnetic sensors. Similar to many other 2D layered nonmagnetic materials, such as black phosphorus, environmental instability presents great challenge for the potential application of 2D layered magnetic materials in the future. In the present work, we report the phenomenon of accelerated deterioration in environmental stability of exfoliated CrCl₃ nanoflakes in direct contact with metal electrodes. As revealed in our investigations, depending on the metal type of the electrode, immensely accelerated degradation of CrCl₃ nanoflake can be induced upon exposure in air. We have further determined that the presence of H₂O is indispensable in the expedited degradation. Our study can provide useful guidance on the choice of metal electrodes in the fabrication of CrCl₃-based devices.