Covalent Organic Frameworks: A 2D Platform for Controlled Nanostructuring of Single Ion Magnets

TL;DR

This paper explores using 2D covalent organic frameworks to host single ion magnets, aiming to preserve their magnetic properties for potential data storage applications.

Contribution

The novel approach involves using 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as hosts for single ion magnets (SIMs) to address challenges in molecular magnet nanostructuring.

Findings

3D metal-organic frameworks have been used to host molecular magnets, but 2D COFs may offer better control.

Using COFs could preserve magnetic properties and enable ultra-high data storage applications.

The approach may overcome issues like air sensitivity and low blocking temperatures in molecular magnets.

Abstract

Bulk magnetic materials play a crucial role in everyday life. Single molecule magnets (SMMs) and single ion magnets (SIMs), collectively known as molecular magnets (MMs), exhibit magnetic bistability and slow magnetization relaxation. Due to their large spin ground states and high axial magnetic anisotropies, MMs are gaining attention for potential molecular-level data storage and quantum computing applications. The discovery of the first known SMM, Mn12Ac, marked a breakthrough in magnetism for data storage devices. However, a significant challenge in molecular spintronics and MM design is their air sensitivity and functionality at ultralow blocking temperatures (TB < 10 K). While attaching MMs to surfaces like gold or graphene has been explored, this often results in a loss of symmetry and even destruction of their magnetic bistability. To enable reliable read/write functions, it is essential to organize MMs in a controlled manner that preserves their magnetic properties. In 2015, Wriedt et al. addressed this challenge by using 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as hosts for nanostructuring MMs. Building on this work, we aim to further explore MM behavior within 2D hosts such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs). We believe this approach could overcome many challenges related to encapsulating and separating individual MM domains. Ultimately, SIM@COF thin films have the potential for ultra-high data storage applications.