Ultralong spin lifetime in light alkali atom doped graphene

TL;DR

This study demonstrates ultralong spin relaxation times in Li and Na doped few-layer graphene, highlighting its potential for spintronics and energy storage applications due to high doping levels and stable spin properties.

Contribution

The paper reports the achievement of high-level alkali metal doping in graphene with long spin relaxation times, advancing spintronics and battery technology.

Findings

Spin-relaxation time of 6-8 ns in doped graphene.

High doping levels evidenced by Raman Fano lineshape.

Potential for spintronics and sodium-ion batteries.

Abstract

Today's great challenges of energy and informational technologies are addressed with a singular compound, the Li and Na doped few layer graphene. All what is impossible for graphite (homogeneous and high level Na doping), and unstable for single layer graphene, works very well for this structure. The transformation of the Raman G line to a Fano lineshape and the emergence of strong, metallic-like electron spin resonance (ESR) modes, attest the high level of graphene doping in liquid ammonia for both kinds of alkali atoms. The spin-relaxation time in our materials, deduced from the ESR line-width, is 6-8 ns, which is comparable to the longest values found in spin-transport experiments on ultrahigh mobility graphene flakes. This could qualify our material as promising candidate in spintronics devices. On the other hand, the successful sodium doping, this being a highly abundant metal, could be an encouraging alternative to lithium batteries.