Toward Quantum Paraelectric, Paraelastic, and Paramagnetic 2D Materials

Quantum fluctuations are known to affect the finite‐temperature properties of materials made out of light elements such as hydrogen and helium. More recently, it has also been realized that quantum effects may play a role on structural transformations of ferroic materials containing heavier atoms, provided the energy barrier separating two different phases is small when compared to thermal fluctuations. Herein, 2D ferroelectric and ferroelastic materials are showcased as potential candidates to experience quantum effects on their structural conformation at liquid helium temperatures. A brief literature overview of the path integral molecular dynamics approach, which could be useful for the discovery of quantum paraelectric, paraelastic, and paramagnetic behavior in 2D materials, is also provided. Quantum effects on the dynamics of ions are usually reserved for light elements such as hydrogen and helium and their effects have been predicted to alter the critical temperature at which structural transformations occur in bulk ferroelectric materials, too. The aim, herein, is to indicate that such quantum effects must also be present in some 2D materials with structural degeneracies.