Magnetic properties of NbSi2N4, VSi2N4, and VSi2P4 monolayers

The recent demonstration of MoSi2N4 and its exceptional stability to air, water, acid, and heat has generated intense interest in this family of two-dimensional materials. Among these materials, monolayers of NbSi2N4, VSi2N4, and VSi2P4 are semiconducting, easy-plane ferromagnets with negligible in-plane magnetic anisotropy. They, thus, satisfy a necessary condition for exhibiting a dissipationless spin superfluid mode. The Curie temperatures of monolayer VSi2P4 and VSi2N4 are determined to be above room temperature based on Monte Carlo and density functional theory calculations. The magnetic moments of VSi2N4 can be switched from in-plane to out-of-plane by applying tensile biaxial strain or electron doping. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

The recent demonstration of MoSi2N4 has sparked interest in two-dimensional materials, including monolayers with ferromagnetic and semiconducting properties. Calculations have shown that the Curie temperatures of VSi2P4 and VSi2N4 are above room temperature.