Engineering of the magnetic anisotropy of CoB6 monolayer by biaxial tensile strain

Two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic material with a sizable magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) is crucial for exploring and developing the characteristics of spintronic devices. Using first-principles calculations, we study the electronic and magnetic properties of CoB6 monolayer. The CoB6 monolayer shows metallic ferromagnetism and exhibits in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The MAE of CoB6 monolayer is induced by Co atom, its maximum MAE is -0.181 meV/Co at theta = 90 degrees ([010] direction), but minimum of -0.157 meV/Co at theta = 0 degrees ([100] direction). It is worth noting that MAE of CoB6 monolayer gradually increases when tensile strain gets higher. When tensile strain increases to 8%, the maximum MAE of CoB6 monolayer is estimated to be -0.236 meV/Co at theta = 90 degrees, which is enhanced by 50% compared with that of unstrained system. These results may stimulate the development of spintronic nanodevices based on 2D ferromagnetic materials. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The CoB6 monolayer exhibits metallic ferromagnetism and in-plane magnetic anisotropy, with MAE induced by the Co atom increasing with tensile strain. These findings may stimulate the development of spintronic nanodevices based on 2D ferromagnetic materials.