Structural reconstruction and anisotropic conductance in $4f$-ferromagnetic monolayer

TL;DR

This paper investigates a GdCl₃ monolayer with 4f moments, revealing unique orthorhombic structure, structural reconstruction due to Li implantation, and highly anisotropic conductance, promising for nanoscale spintronics.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretically studied 4f-moment monolayer with unique structure and properties, including Li-induced reconstruction and anisotropic conductance, expanding 2D magnetic materials.

Findings

GdCl₃ monolayer can be exfoliated from bulk.

Li implantation causes structural reconstruction and induces ferromagnetism.

The monolayer exhibits highly anisotropic conductance.

Abstract

Two-dimensional magnets are promising for nanoscale spintronic applications. Currently, most available candidates are based on $3d$ transition metal compounds, with hexagonal or honeycomb lattice geometry. Here, a GdCl$_3$ monolayer with $4f$ moments is theoretically studied, which can be exfoliated from its existing bulk. Its orthorhombic structure and hendecahedral ion cages are unique in two-dimensional. Furthermore, a significant structural reconstruction is caused by the implantation of Li atoms into its interstitial position, which also lead to ferromagnetism via a double-exchange-like process. Its highly anisotropic conductance may be peculiarly useful for nanoelectronics.