Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and half metallicity: a DFT study

Cr2Ge2Te6 is an intrinsic ferromagnetic material with a van der Waals layered structure and it shows promise in spintronics applications. In this work, we investigated the edge effects in Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons and the change in magnetic properties considering spin-orbit effects. Edge formation energies evidenced stability in nanoribbons with TeCr edges. Stability remains in these nanoribbons in presence of Te vacancies at the edge. New bonds appear in the nanoribbons due to edge effects and induce half-metal (HM) behavior. The metallic part is dominated by Te-p, Ge-p, and Cr-d orbitals. Both stable nanoribbons present perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Our results point Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons as key for the construction of spintronic devices since HM materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy produce 100% spin-polarized out-of-plane current.

Automated summary

This work investigates the edge effects and spin-orbit effects on the magnetic properties of Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons, and highlights their potential in spintronic device construction.