Engineering efficient two-dimensional covalent magnetic organic films though molecular self-assembly is a challenge in nanotechnology. The electronic and magnetic properties of the films will not only depend of the properties of individual building blocks but also from the structure of their arrangement, intermolecular electronic and magnetic coupling as well as molecule-substrate interaction. In this project we will determine how these parameters can be used to tailor the magnetic properties of a nanostructured organic film.
Our project is to use molecules containing one metal atom in their center, to create self-assembled 2D magnetic nanoarchitectures. Our aim is to stabilise the magnetic anisotropy of the structure through molecular ligand and molecular arrangement. To stabilise the organic structure, in a structure and electronic/magnetic point of view, intermolecular covalent bonds will be generated through Ullmann coupling.
The first step consists in designing and synthesizing the magnetic organic building blocks. Promising compounds have already been identified, especially metal beta-diketonato complexes with metal and halogen atoms (examples of molecular design are shown in Fig.1). These compounds should have the ability to self-assemble and to form covalent bonds through Ullmann coupling. They also should have a high magnetic anisotropy.
Fig.1 : Scheme of the β-diketonato copper complexes. The Green atom is a metal atom, the purple and blue atoms are halogen atoms.
Reference
Two-Dimensional Halogen-Bonded Porous Self-Assembled Nanoarchitectures of Copper beta-Diketonato Complexes. F. Silly, C. Viala, J. Bonvoisin, J. Phys. Chem. C, 122, 17143-17148 (2018)