In-plane anisotropy of layered materials adds another dimension to their applications, opening up avenues in diverse angle-resolved devices. However, to fulfill a strong inherent in-plane anisotropy in layered materials still poses a significant challenge, as it often requires a low-symmetry nature of layered materials. Here, we report the fabrication of a member of layered semiconducting AB compounds, TlSe, that possesses a low-symmetry tetragonal structure and investigate its anisotropic light-matter interactions. We first identify the in-plane Raman intensity anisotropy of thin-layer TlSe, offering unambiguous evidence that the anisotropy is sensitive to crystalline orientation. Further in-situ azimuth-dependent reflectance difference microscopy enables the direct evaluation of in-plane optical anisotropy of layered TlSe, and we demonstrate that the TlSe shows a linear dichroism under polarized absorption spectra arising from an in-plane anisotropic optical property. As a direct result of the linear dichroism, we successfully fabricate TlSe devices for polarization-sensitive photodetection. The discovery of layered TlSe with a strong in-plane anisotropy not only facilitates its applications in linear dichroic photodetection but opens up more possibilities for other functional device applications.

van der Waals (vdW) magnetic insulators are of significance in both fundamental research and technological application, but most two-dimensional (2D) vdW magnetic systems are unstable and of high lattice symmetry. Stable 2D vdW magnetic insulators with anisotropic structure are needed to modulate the properties and unlock potential applications. Here we present a stable vdW antiferromagnetic material, CrOCl, with low-symmetry orthorhombic structure, and investigate systematically its magnetism, phase transition behavior, and optical anisotropy. Spin–phonon coupling effects are uncovered by the abnormal frequency shifts of Raman-active modes, suggesting the formation of a magnetic superstructure. The sizable abnormal change of interplanar spacing indicates the presence of a structural transition at around 27 K. Further in-plane vibrational, reflectional, and absorptional anisotropic properties are explored both experimentally and theoretically, revealing a highly polarization sensitive characteristic and linear dichroism in 2D CrOCl. Meanwhile, the particularly high polarization dependency of the second-harmonic generation and the nonlinear susceptibility of ∼2.24 × 10–11 m/V make it suitable in the field of polarization-dependent nonlinear optics. The findings on the intricate properties of 2D CrOCl lay foundations for future applications of low-symmetry vdW magnets in spin-dependent electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Mechanical strain induced changes in the electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials is of great interest for both fundamental studies and practical applications. The anisotropic 2D materials may further exhibit different electronic changes when the strain is applied along different crystalline axes. The resulting anisotropic piezoresistive phenomenon not only reveals distinct lattice–electron interaction along different principle axes in low-dimensional materials but also can accurately sense/recognize multidimensional strain signals for the development of strain sensors, electronic skin, human–machine interfaces, etc. In this work, we systematically studied the piezoresistive effect of an anisotropic 2D material of rhenium disulfide (ReS2), which has large anisotropic ratio. The measurement of ReS2 piezoresistance was experimentally performed on the devices fabricated on a flexible substrate with electrical channels made along the two principle axes, which were identified noninvasively by the reflectance difference microscopy developed in our lab. The result indicated that ReS2 had completely opposite (positive and negative) piezoresistance along two principle axes, which differed from any previously reported anisotropic piezoresistive effect in other 2D materials. We attributed the opposite anisotropic piezoresistive effect of ReS2 to the strain-induced broadening and narrowing of the bandgap along two principle axes, respectively, which was demonstrated by both reflectance difference spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

As a new member of 2D materials, GeSe has attracted considerable attention recently due to its fascinating in-plane anisotropic vibrational, electrical, and optical properties originating from the low-symmetry crystal structure. Among these anisotropic properties, the anisotropic optical property, as a new degree of freedom to manipulate optoelectronic properties in 2D materials, is of great importance for practical applications. However, the fundamental understanding of the optical anisotropy of GeSe is still under exploration, severely restricting its utility in polarization-sensitive optical systems. Here, a systematic study about the in-plane optical anisotropy of GeSe is reported, including its anisotropic optical absorption, reflection, extinction, and refraction. The anisotropic band structure of GeSe is experimentally observed for the first time through angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, explaining the origin of the optical anisotropy. The anisotropic reflection and refraction of GeSe are further directly visualized through the angle-dependent optical contrast of GeSe flakes by azimuth-dependent reflectance difference microscopy and polarization-resolved optical microscopy, respectively. Finally, GeSe-based photodetectors exhibit a polarization-sensitive photoresponsivity due to the intrinsic linear dichroism. This study provides fundamental information for the optical anisotropy of GeSe, forcefully stimulating the exploration of novel GeSe-based optical and optoelectronic applications.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be released into the environment, especially in electronic waste (e-waste) recycling industrial parks with a high pollution risk. However, little has been known about the environmental release and human exposure to LCMs until now. Herein, a total of 45 LCMs were detected in LCDs of commonly used smartphones and computers by high-resolution mass spectrometry with suspect screening analysis. Fluorinated biphenyls and their analogs were the dominant LCMs. Based on available standards of the screening results and previous studies, 55 LCMs were quantified in samples from an e-waste recycling industrial park in Central China. The LCMs were frequently detected in outdoor dust (n = 43), workshop #1 indoor dust (n = 53), and hand (n = 43) and forehead wipes (n = 43), with median concentrations of 6950 ng/g, 67,400 ng/g, 46,100 ng/m2, and 62,100 ng/m2, respectively. The median estimated daily intake values of the LCMs via dust ingestion and dermal absorption were 48.3 and 16.5 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively, indicating a high occupational exposure risk of these compounds. In addition, 16 LCMs were detected in the serum of eight elderly people (≥60 years old) with over 5 years of experience in e-waste dismantling operations, resulting in a total concentration range of 3.9–26.3 ng/mL.