Progress in organic molecular/ferromagnet spinterfaces: towards molecular spintronics

The use of organic molecules in spintronic devices has attracted much attention for future applications due to their remarkable properties of extreme flexibility and chemical tunability. Hybrid ferromagnetic metal/molecular interfaces, known as spinterfaces, play an essential role in device performance. In this paper, we analyze the mechanism of interactions between ferromagnetic metals and organic molecules, and illustrate the influence of hybrid interface states from the perspectives of organic molecules and ferromagnetic metals. We also highlight some of the possible external controls on spinterfaces to obtain specific hybrid interface states to construct tunable spin-functional devices. Finally, we suggest an outlook on the future of possible development in molecular spintronics.