Multiferroics beyond inorganics

A large number of single-phase multiferroics have been discovered in the past two decades. Most of them are inorganic materials, especially transition metal oxides. In contrast, less attention has been paid to multiferroics beyond inorganic materials. In this talk, I introduce two groups of multiferroics that are made of organic components. The first group is multiferroic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that exhibit direct and converse magnetoelectric (ME) effects as well as a variety of unusual physical properties. The second group is multiferroic single-molecule magnets (SMMs) that are a special class of organic magnets characterized by resonant quantum tunnelling of magnetization. When ferroelectricity is introduced into a Dy-based SMM, pronounced ME effects are achieved. The quantum tunnelling of magnetization can be directly controlled by applying a moderate electric field and the electric polarization can be modulated by applying a small magnetic field. Additionally, a resonant magnetodielectric effect is clearly observed, which enables electrical detection of quantum tunnelling of magnetization. Multiferroic SMMs not only broaden the family of multiferroics but also pave a path toward practical applications of SMMs.