Alessandra Continenza

arXiv2021

2D hybrid CrCl2(N2C4H4)2 with tunable ferromagnetic half-metallicity

Two-dimensional ferromagnetic (2D FM) half-metal holds great potential for quantum magnetoelectronics and spintronic devices. Here, using density functional calculations and magnetic pictures, we study the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the novel van der Waals (vdW) metal-organic framework (MOF), CrCl2(N2C4H4)2, i.e. CrCl2(pyrazine)2. Our results show that CrCl2(pyrazine)2 is a 2D FM half-metal, having a strong intralayer FM coupling but a much weak interlayer one due to the vdW spacing. Its spin-polarized conduction bands are formed by the pyrazine molecular orbitals and are polarized by the robust Cr3+ local spin = 3/2. These results agree with the recent experiments [Pedersen et al., Nature Chemistry, 2018, 10, 1056]. More interestingly, CrCl2(pyrazine)2 monolayer has a strong doping tunability of the FM half-metallicity, and the FM coupling would be significantly enhanced by electron doping. Our work highlights a vital role of the organic ligand and suggests that vdW MOF is also worth exploration for new 2D magnetic materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Electron and hole doping in the relativistic Mott insulator Sr$_2$IrO$_4$: a first-principles study using band unfolding technique

We study the effects of dilute La and Rh doping on the electronic structure of the relativistic Mott insulator Sr$_2$IrO$_4$ using fully relativistic and magnetically non-collinear density functional theory with the inclusion of an on-site Hubbard $U$. To model doping effects, we have adopted the supercell approach that allows for a realistic treatment of structural relaxations and electronic effects beyond a purely rigid band approach. By means of the band unfolding technique we have computed the spectral function and constructed the effective band structure and Fermi surface (FS), which are readily comparable with available experimental data. Our calculations clearly indicate that La and Rh doping can be interpreted as effective electron and (fractional) hole doping, respectively. In Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$IrO$_4$ the IMT is accompanied by a moderate renormalization of the electronic correlation substantiated by a reduction of the effective on-site Coulomb repulsion $U-J$ from 1.6 eV ($x=0$) to 1.4 eV (metallic regime $x=12.5\%$). The progressive closing of the relativistic Mott gap leads to the emergence of connected elliptical electron pockets at ($π$/2,$π$/2) and less intense features at $X$ in the FS. The substitution of Ir with the nominally isovalent Rh is accompanied by a substantial hole transfer from the Rh site to the nearest neighbor Ir sites. This shifts down the chemical potential, creates almost circular disconnected hole pockets in the FS and establishes the emergence of a two-dimensional metallic state formed by conducting Rh-planes intercalated by insulating Ir-planes. Finally, our data indicate that hole doping causes a flipping of the in-plane net ferromagnetic moment in the Rh plane and induces a magnetic transition from the AF-I to the AF-II ordering.

cond-mat.str-el↗