Molecular engineering of superconducting and ferromagnetic 2D materials: towards on-demand physical properties - Molding2D
Among the ultimate goals of materials science is the fabrication of materials with on-demand capabilities, which could improve current technologies and inspire novel device concepts. Molding2D uses the chemical programmability of molecules to manipulate the intrinsic physical properties of 2D Materials, reaching a controllable tuning of 2D ferromagnetism and superconductivity. By combining a device approach with spectroscopic and structural characterization, Molding2D is the demonstration that molecule/2D Material interfaces constitute an ideal experimental platform to design novel materials with programmable functions.
In the search for materials by design, two-dimensional materials (2DMs) offer a unique opportunity, since their reduced dimensionality makes it possible to controllably tune their intrinsic physical properties through ad-hoc modifications of their surface. Interfacing 2DMs with molecular thin films holds immense potential, since specific functional groups can be integrated in the molecular layer to provide programmable capabilities to 2DMs. While several studies have reported how molecules produce changes in the charge carrier density of 2DMs (doping), the question remains whether it would be possible to alter other intrinsic physical properties of 2DMs, such as their superconductivity or magnetism.
Molding2D aims at exploiting the chemical programmability of molecules to very finely manipulate the intrinsic physical properties of 2DMs, targeting a controllable tuning of 2D ferromagnetism and superconductivity. To this goal, we propose to explore different 2DM/molecule interactions, making active use of three molecular capabilities, which are: the possibility to introduce doping on demand; the predictable spin configuration of metallorganic complexes and the unique photoswitch of photochromic molecules.
By combining a device approach with spectroscopic and structural characterization techniques, Molding2D will achieve an ultra-high level of control over molecule/2DMs interfaces, aiming at mastering the structure vs. function relation to answer four fundamental questions: is it possible to tune the superconductivity and magnetism of 2DMs via molecular engineering; (ii) can we profit from molecular films to provide air stability to ferromagnetic and superconductive 2DMs; (iii) can we couple unique molecular functions to the magnetism and superconductivity of 2DMs; and (iv) can we induce ferromagnetic ordering in a non-ferromagnetic 2DM.
The ultimate objective of Molding2D is the demonstration that 2DM/molecule interfaces are the ideal experimental platform to design novel materials with programmable functions, fulfilling the central challenge of materials science.
This project is funded by PID2019-108153GA-I00/MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033
