Monolayer and bilayer lanthanide compound Gd2C with large magnetic anisotropy energy and high Curie temperature

Comparing with transition metal compounds, lanthanide compounds hold promising potential as spintronic materials to generate large magnetic moments and strong magnetic anisotropic. By conducting in-depth theoretical calculations, we explored the electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer and bilayer Gd2C, the f-electron lanthanide compound. Monolayer Gd2C is a ferromagnetic (FM) half-metal with large band gap (1.68 eV) in the semiconducting spin-channel. It has large magnetic anisotropic energy (MAE) (703 leV/Gd atom), and Curie temperature (TC) of 322 K, above room temperature and higher compared with Gd metal and layered Gd2C. Under 5% biaxial strain, its TC increases to 392 K. The robust half-metallicity of monolayer Gd2C is highly desirable for spin current generation and injection. In addition, we found that bilayer Gd2C maintains to be FM at all stacking orders. Two stable stacking configurations of bilayer Gd2C were identified; both are FM metals and may coexist at room temperature. Our results demonstrate potential applications of 2D lanthanide compound Gd2C in the field of spintronics.

Automated summary

By conducting theoretical calculations, we explored the electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer and bilayer Gd2C, a lanthanide compound. Monolayer Gd2C is a ferromagnetic half-metal with a large band gap and high magnetic anisotropic energy. It has a Curie temperature above room temperature and its stability can be further enhanced under strain. Bilayer Gd2C maintains ferromagnetic properties and can coexist in different stacking configurations at room temperature. Our findings demonstrate the potential of 2D lanthanide compound Gd2C in spintronics.