Multistate ferroelectric polarization holds promise for realizing high-density nonvolatile memory devices, but so far is restricted to a few traditional ferroelectrics. Here, we show that nanoconfined two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric ice can achieve phase-dependent multistate polarization through extensive classical and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. An in-plane electric field is found to induce the reversible transition between a low-polarization $AA$-stacked hexagonal ice phase and an unprecedented high-polarization $AB$-stacked ice phase, resulting in a four-state ferroelectric switching pathway. The findings highlight the potential of 2D ice as a functional material for the development of multistate ferroelectric memory devices.

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• Ferroelectricity
• Ice
• Liquid-solid interfaces
• Liquids
• Polarization
• Ab initio molecular dynamics
• Molecular dynamics