Topological Defects Induced High-Spin Quartet State in Truxene-Based Molecular Graphenoids

Abstract

Topological defects in graphene materials introduce exotic properties which are absent in their defect-free counterparts with both fundamental importance and technological implications. Although individual topological defects have been widely studied, collective magnetic behaviors originating from well-organized multiple topological defects remain a great challenge. Here, we studied the collective magnetic properties originating from three pentagon topological defects in truxene-based molecular graphenoids by using scanning tunneling microscopy and non-contact atomic force microscopy. Unpaired $\pi$ electrons are introduced into the aromatic topology of truxene molecular graphenoids one by one by dissociating hydrogen atoms at the pentagon defects via atom manipulation. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements together with density functional theory calculations suggest that the unpaired electrons are ferromagnetically coupled, forming a collective high-spin quartet state of S=3/2. Our work demonstrates that the collective spin ordering can be realized through engineering regular patterned topological defects in molecular graphenoids, providing a new platform for designer one-dimensional ferromagnetic spin chains and two-dimensional ferromagnetic networks.