Structurally induced magnetic transitions in layered dichalcogenides MoQ2 (Q = S, Se, Te) and double hydroxides (M2+)6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 6H2O (M2+ = Mn2+, Fe2+) under mechanical deformation

TL;DR

This study investigates how mechanical deformation influences the magnetic properties of layered dichalcogenides and double hydroxides, revealing that strain-induced ion position fluctuations can dramatically alter magnetic interactions, advancing straintronics applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates that mechanical strain causes significant changes in magnetic interactions by affecting ion positions in layered 2D materials, providing a new pathway for strain-controlled magnetic properties.

Findings

Magnetic interactions are sensitive to structural deformation.

Ion fluctuations near critical positions lead to magnetic property changes.

Layered double hydroxides show promise for straintronics applications.

Abstract

Exploring how mechanical strain can modify the magnetic properties of low-dimensional structures is one of the priorities of straintronics, an area in condensed matter physics. It has been proven by calculating the parameters of magnetic interactions Jij and developing structural/magnetic models of the layered dichalcogenides MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2 and layered double hydroxides (M2+)6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 6H2O (M2+ = Mn2+, Fe2+) with a grapheme type structure that magnetic interactions are responsive to the mechanical deformation of their crystal structure. As turned out, the ions in these antiferromagnetic materials are situated in the hexagonal planes close to critical positions. We have thus demonstrated that the fluctuations of the intermediate ions near critical positions due to mechanical strain cause dramatic changes to the magnetic parameters and allow the magnetic properties to be modified by mechanical strain. To be sure, an abundant class of new 2D materials transition-metal-based double hydroxides, whose properties are similar to those of molybdenum-based chalcogenides have promise as materials to be used in straintronics.