Turning non-magnetic two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide into room temperature magnets by the synergistic effect of strain engineering and charge injection

Abstract: The development of two-dimensional (2D) room temperature magnets is of great significance to the practical application of spintronic devices. However, the number of synthesized intrinsic 2D magnets is limited and the performances of them are not satisfactory, e.g. typically with low Curie temperature and poor environmental stability. Magnetic modulation based on developed 2D materials, especially non-magnetic 2D materials, can bring us new breakthroughs. Herein, we report room temperature ferromagnetism in halogenated MoS2 monolayer under the synergistic effect of strain engineering and charge injection, and the combined implementation of these two processes is based on the halogenation of MoS2. The adsorbed halogen atoms X (X = F, Cl, and Br) on the surface leads to lattice superstretching and hole injection, resulting in MoS2 monolayer exhibiting half-metallic properties, with one spin channel being gapless in the band structure. The Curie temperature of halogenated MoS2 monolayer is 513~615 K, which is much higher than the room temperature. In addition, large magnetic anisotropy energy and good environmental stability make halogenated MoS2 display great advantages in practical spintronic nanodevices.