Tunable magnetic coupling and high Curie temperature of two-dimensional PtBr3 via van der waals heterostructures

Two-dimensional ferromagnetic semiconductors hold great promise for next-generation spintronic applications. However, candidates with high Curie temperature (T-c) are still lacking. Using the first-principles calculations, the PtBr3 monolayer is found to exhibit ferromagnetic order above the room temperature. The formation of PtBr3/WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures can increase the T-c to similar to 410 K by additional super-exchange path of Pt-Se-Pt. The spin-exchange interactions for this path is as strong as similar to 22 meV, which is superior to most other magnetic system. The out-of-plane compression further boosts the T-c to similar to 636 K. The interlayer magnetic coupling is highly tunable depending on the stacking alignment, which closes or weakens some super-exchange channels. In addition, the interlayer interaction leads to a phase transition from half-metal to semiconductor, which greatly promotes its potential in spintronic applications. The strong stacking dependent feature is feasible to manipulate the magnetic orders by external strain or mechanical motion.

Automated summary

By utilizing PtBr3/WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures, the PtBr3 monolayer demonstrates high ferromagnetic order and can achieve a high Curie temperature, showing promise for significant impact in spintronic devices.