Charge-injection induced magnetism and half metallicity in single-layer hexagonal group III/V (BN, BP, AIN, AIP) systems

Based on the first-principles calculations, we predict that strong ferromagnetism and half metallicity can be induced via charge injection in single-layer hexagonal boron nitride (BN) and BN nanoribbons. This phenomenon can be understood based on the Stoner criterion and the relationship between induced magnetic moment and charge density. Other group-III/V two-dimensional honeycomb systems such as boron phosphide (BP), aluminum nitride (AIN), and aluminum phosphide (AIP) exhibit similar ferromagnetic behavior upon charge injection. Like BN, the single-layer hexagonal AIN can be converted to a half metal at certain positive charge states. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3484957]