Magnetic two-dimensional chromium trihalides: structure, properties and modulation

• Published in: Rare metals 2022-09, Vol.41 (9), p.2921-2942
• Main Authors: Zhang, Biao, Zeng, Yi, Zhao, Zi-Jing, Qiu, Da-Ping, Zhang, Teng, Hou, Yang-Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromium; Crystal structure; Electrical properties; Energy; Heterojunction devices; Magnetic properties; Magnetism; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Optical properties; Physical Chemistry; Physical properties; Review; Spintronics; Two dimensional materials
• ISSN: 1001-0521; 1867-7185
• DOI: 10.1007/s12598-022-02004-2

The unique optical and electrical properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials provide a platform for novel van der Waals (vdW) heterojunction devices but the investigation of 2D magnetism is still limited. Recently, the emergence of long-range magnetic order atomically thin crystals expands 2D family, providing possibilities for the study of low-dimensional spin behavior and novel spintronics devices. As a specific member of magnetic van der Waals family, chromium trihalides (CrX 3 , X = Cl, Br, I) stimulated intensive interests on account of the newfangled magnetic properties. In this review, we briefly introduce the crystal structures, magnetism of the bulk and synthetic methods of 2D CrX 3 . Subsequently, the physical properties in atomically thin limit and magnetism manipulated by external field are presented. Next, some novel physical phenomena in CrX 3 heterojunctions are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future directions are proposed. We focus on the intriguing physical phenomena in 2D magnetic CrX 3 by combining related theoretical calculations and experimental results, providing a perspective on these emerging materials. Graphical abstract