Cobaltocene as a spin filter

Unravelling the robustness of magnetic anisotropy of a nickelocene molecule in different environments: a first-principles-based study

Recent scanning tunneling spectroscopy with single metallocene molecule-functionalized tips have proved to be a powerful tool to probe and control individual spins and spin-spin exchange interactions due to the robustness of the magnetic properties of the metallocene molecule in different surroundings. However, accurate prediction of such robustness at a first-principles-based level by the conventional density functional theory (DFT) has remained challenging. In this paper, we have performed a detailed investigation of the evolution of electronic and magnetic properties of a nickelocene molecule (NiCp₂) in different environments, i.e., free-standing, adsorbed on Cu(100) and as a functionalized tip apex. Using an embedding method, which combines DFT and the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method recently developed, we demonstrate that the nickelocene molecule almost preserves its spin and magnetic anisotropy upon adsorption on Cu(100), and also in the position of the tip apex. In particular, the cyclic π* orbital of the Cp rings could hybridize with the singly occupied d_π orbitals of the Ni center of the molecule, protecting these orbitals from external states. Hence the molecular spin maintains S = 1, the same as in the free-standing case, and its magnetic anisotropy is also robust with energies of 3.56, 3.34, and 3.51 meV in free-standing, adsorbed on Cu(100), and functionalized tip apex states, respectively, in good agreement with previous theoretical and experimental results. This work thus provides a first-principles-based understanding of the relevant experiments. Such agreement between theoretical simulations and experimental measurements highlights the potential usefulness of the method for investigating the local electronic and spin states of organometallic molecule-surface composite systems.

Experimental Validation of Quantum Circuit Rules in Molecular Junctions

A series of diarylacetylene (tolane) derivatives functionalised at the 4- and 4′-positions by thiolate, thioether, or amine groups capable of serving as anchor groups to secure the molecules within a molecular junction have been prepared and characterised. The series of compounds have a general form X-B-X, Y-B-Y, and X-B-Y where X and Y represent anchor groups and B the molecular bridge. The single-molecule conductance values determined by the scanning tunnelling microscope break-junction method are found to be in excellent agreement with the predictions made on the basis of a recently proposed ‘molecular circuit law’, which states ‘the conductance of an asymmetric molecule X-B-Y is the geometric mean of the conductance of the two symmetric molecules derived from it, and .’ The experimental verification of the circuit law, which holds for systems in which the constituent moieties X, B, and Y are weakly coupled and whose conductance takes place via off-resonance tunnelling, gives further confidence in the use of this relationship in the design of future compounds for use in molecular electronics research.

Mechanically Tunable Quantum Interference in Ferrocene-Based Single-Molecule Junctions

Ferrocenes are ubiquitous organometallic building blocks that comprise a Fe atom sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings that rotate freely at room temperature. Of widespread interest in fundamental studies and real-world applications, they have also attracted some interest as functional elements of molecular-scale devices. Here we investigate the impact of the configurational degrees of freedom of a ferrocene derivative on its single-molecule junction conductance. Measurements indicate that the conductance of the ferrocene derivative, which is suppressed by 2 orders of magnitude as compared to a fully conjugated analogue, can be modulated by altering the junction configuration. Ab initio transport calculations show that the low conductance is a consequence of destructive quantum interference effects of the Fano type that arise from the hybridization of localized metal-based d-orbitals and the delocalized ligand-based π-system. By rotation of the Cp rings, the hybridization, and thus the quantum interference, can be mechanically controlled, resulting in a conductance modulation that is seen experimentally.

Half-metallic behavior in ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl organometallic sandwich molecules

We have theoretically investigated spin transport properties of one-dimensional ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl sandwich molecules, Ru_n(Cp)_n+1, between two gold electrodes. Calculations were performed based on the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism and density functional theory. The results clearly reveal that for n = 1, no spin-polarized behavior is observed due to the fully occupied valence shell of ruthenocene molecule, while for the higher n values, the total magnetic moments increase with increasing size of the cluster and a half metallic behavior has been achieved. This can be attributed to the altered ligand field of π-conjugate systems generated by metal centers. Interestingly, for n values higher than 1, not only do the current-voltage curves exhibit an efficient spin-current generation but also a pronounced negative differential resistance behavior can be detected in the bias region. Our results will be strongly informative for the design and control of high-performance organometallic sandwich molecules based on spin-electronic devices.

Spin-Crossover Assisted Spin-Switching and Rectification Action in Half-Metallic Graphitic Carbon Nitride(g-C4 N3 )

Herein, we report on the potential multifunctional spintronic action of half-metallic graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₄ N₃ ). We observed electrostatic spin-crossover action at an applied electric field of -0.77 V nm^-1 , which eventually leads to spin-switching action and change in sign of bias dependent spin injection coefficient. The system also acts as a spin polarized charge current rectifier with rectification ratio of 65.41 in spin-up channel only. This electric field-controlled spin switching action and simultaneous existence of rectification action makes graphitic carbon nitride a perfect multifunctional spintronic system-an ideal material for quantum logic gate design. Results obtained have been substantiated through transmission spectra and transmission pathways analyses. An analysis of projected device density of states of the system and molecular projected self consistent Hamiltonian states analysis reveals that the electron flow of the system is mainly facilitated by 2p orbitals of C and N atoms.

Out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy energy in the Ni3Bz3 molecule

Ni₃Bz₃ molecule shows a large magnetic anisotropy energy of 8 meV, with the easy axis perpendicular to the plane of Ni metal atoms. Note that the corresponding bare Ni₃ cluster has an in-plane easy axis.

Theoretical Studies of the Spin-Dependent Electronic Transport Properties in Ethynyl-Terminated Ferrocene Molecular Junctions

The spin-dependent electron transport in the ferrocene-based molecular junctions, in which the molecules are 1,3-substituted and 1,3′-substituted ethynyl ferrocenes, respectively, is studied by the theoretical simulation with nonequilibrium Green’s function and density functional theory. The calculated results suggest that the substitution position of the terminal ethynyl groups has a great effect on the spin-dependent current-voltage properties and the spin filtering efficiency of the molecular junctions. At the lower bias, high spin filtering efficiency is found in 1,3′-substituted ethynyl ferrocene junction, which suggests that the spin filtering efficiency is also dependent on the bias voltage. The different spin-dependent transport properties for the two molecular junctions originate from their different evolutions of spin-up and spin-down energy levels.

Complex magnetic orders in small cobalt–benzene molecules

Organometallic clusters based on transition metal atoms are interesting because of their possible applications in spintronics and quantum information processing.

On-Surface Engineering of a Magnetic Organometallic Nanowire

The manipulation of the molecular spin state by atom doping is an attractive strategy to confer desirable magnetic properties to molecules. Here, we present the formation of novel magnetic metallocenes by following this approach. In particular, two different on-surface procedures to build isolated and layer-integrated Co-ferrocene (CoFc) molecules on a metallic substrate via atomic manipulation and atom deposition are shown. The structure as well as the electronic properties of the so-formed molecule are investigated combining scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy with density functional theory calculations. It is found that unlike single ferrocene a CoFc molecule possesses a magnetic moment as revealed by the Kondo effect. These results correspond to the first controlled procedure toward the development of tailored metallocene-based nanowires with a desired chemical composition, which are predicted to be promising materials for molecular spintronics.

Assembly of Ferrocene Molecules on Metal Surfaces Revisited

Metallocene (MCp2) wires have recently attracted considerable interest in relation to molecular spintronics due to predictions concerning their half-metallic nature. This exciting prospect is however hampered by the little and often-contradictory knowledge we have concerning the metallocene self-assembly and interaction with a metal. Here, we elucidate these aspects by focusing on the adsorption of ferrocene on Cu(111) and Cu(100). Combining low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that the two-dimensional molecular arrangement consists of vertical- and horizontal-lying molecules. The noncovalent T-shaped interactions between Cp rings of vertical and horizontal molecules are essential for the stability of the physisorbed molecular layer. These results provide a fresh insight into ferrocene adsorption on surfaces and may serve as an archetypal reference for future work with this important variety of organometallic molecules.

Difficulties in the ab initio description of electron transport through spin filters

Spin-transport calculations present certain difficulties which are sometimes overlooked when using density-functional theory (DFT) to analyze and predict the behavior of molecular-based devices. We analyze and give examples of some caveats of spintronic calculations using DFT. We first describe how the broken-symmetry problem of DFT can cause serious problems in the evaluation of the spin polarization of electron currents. Next, we signal the low-energy scale of magnetic excitations, which makes them ubiquitous at already rather small biases. The existence of excitations in spin transport has catastrophic consequences in the reliability of the usual transport calculations. Finally, we compare DFT and configuration-interaction calculations of a ferrocene-based double decker that has been heralded as a possible spin-filter, and we cast a word of caution when we show that DFT is qualitatively wrong in the description of both the ground state and the excited states of ferrocene double deckers.

Modeling the electronic properties of pi-conjugated self-assembled monolayers

The modification of electrode surfaces by depositing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provides the possibility for controlled adjustment of various key parameters in organic and molecular electronic devices. Most important among them are the work function of the electrode and the relative alignment of its Fermi level with the conducting states in the SAM itself and with those in a subsequently deposited organic semiconductor. For the efficient application of such interface modifications it is crucial to reach a proper understanding of the relation between the chemical structure of a molecule, its molecular electronic characteristics, and the properties of the SAM formed by such molecules. Over the past years, quantum-mechanical calculations have proven to be a valuable tool for reaching a fundamental understanding of the relevant structure-property relations. Here, we provide a review over the field and report on recent progress in the modeling of the interfacial electronic properties of pi-conjugated SAMs. In addition to the insight that can be gained from simple electrostatic considerations, we focus on the quantum-mechanical description of the roles played by substituents, molecular backbones, chemical anchoring groups, and the packing density of molecules on the surface. Furthermore, we explicitly address the energy-level alignment at the interface between a prototypical organic semiconductor and a SAM-covered metal electrode and describe an approach suitable for extending the metallic character of the substrate onto the monolayer.

Doping molecular wires

The concept of doping inorganic semiconductors enabled their successful application in electronic devices. Furthermore, the discovery of metal-like conduction in doped polymers started the entire field of organic electronics. In the present theoretical study, we extend the concept of doping to monomolecular wires suspended between two metal electrodes. Upon doping, the conductivity of representative model systems is found to increase by 2 orders of magnitude. More importantly, by providing a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms, our results pave the way for the development of novel molecular components envisioned as functional units in nanoscale devices.