Magnetism of graphene

tutorial_magnetism_graphene1

Three important issues need to be addressed in the discussion of graphene magnetism: (i) In one- or two-dimensional systems there will be no long range order of magnetic moments: continuous symmetries cannot be spontaneously broken at finite temperature (Mermin-Wagner) and even in the ground state (Coleman); (ii) magnetic properties are controlled by the type of the edge, (iii) magnetic properties are controlled by the bipartite graphene honeycomb structure.

Pristine graphite is known as one of the most strongly diamagnetic material. The magnetic susceptibility is extremely anisotropic. If the external field is parallel to the carbon planes, susceptibility is small and is equal to such of free carbon atoms χ⁄ ⁄ = -5 ·10-7 emu/g. It is useful to know that it can be calculated using the Pascal constants. The diamagnetism of a molecule is calculated in an additive way using values for the diamagnetic susceptibility of every atom (χDi) and bond (λi) in the molecule:

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f1

where χDi and λi are known as Pascal constants and are tabulated.

However, if magnetic field is perpendicular to the planes, susceptibility is much greater χ⊥= – (22 – 50) * 10-6 emu/g. Such behaviour is related to aromaticity.

Thus, the magnetic susceptibility of carbon allotropes is very sensitive to the energy band structure. This means that their magnetic behaviour can be altered by modifying the band structure. Modification of band structure can be achieved by introducing topological defects or absorbed guest atoms to graphite. They can change the amount of localized electronic states, which will cause an increase in the density of π-states at the Fermi level and trigger anomalous behavior in magnetic field.

In nanographite the effects from different defects and edge states are noticeable. In order to describe its magnetic susceptibility, various sources of magnetic moment should be considered. Total magnetic moment of carbon materials χtotal can be found as the sum of different components:

χtotal =χcore +χorb +χVV +χferro +χLand +χPauli +χCW

Where χtotal is atomic core diamagnetism, χorb is orbital diamagnetism from itinerant π-electrons in band structure of a semimetal, χVV is van Vleck paramagnetism originating from virtual magnetic dipole transitions between the valence and conduction bands, χferro is ferromagnetic term from magnetic impurities, χLand is Landau diamagnetic contribution, χPauli is Pauli paramagnetic from conduction electrons, and χCW temperature-dependent Curie–Weiss term equal to C/(T−Ѳ), where C and Ѳ are the Curie constant and the Weiss temperature, respectively.

However, in the experiment it is practically impossible to distinguish all these contributions, and a simplified formulais used:

χtotal =χdiam +χCW

Exam questions for the students

  1. Magnetic susceptibility of infinite graphene sheet with non-interacting Model calculations for Ns = 1019 spin/g (correct to write 1019 g-1).
  2. Magnetic susceptibility of infinite graphene sheet with interacting Model calculations for Ns = 1019 g-1 for 2 cases (a) all spins occupy the same sublattice and (b) the spins randomly occupy different sublattices. Let us decide that the exchange integral in both cases is 100 K.

The nature of defects is not discussed. It can be a vacancy of covalently attached atom. Both produce unpaired spins

  1. Magnetic susceptibility of linear chains of spins on graphene. Model calculations for Ns = 1019 g-1.

In this case the nature of defects is important. Vacancies are excluded; they simply cut the graphene plane. Adatoms are excluded; they create two chains of spins. Quasi-one-dimensional carbon chains in fully hydrogenated graphene are depicted in Fig. 1c (Phys. Rev. B 2011, 83, 235408 ). Peierls instability is disregarded. To calculate magnetism, one needs the formula of AF coupled linear chains, S = ½ units, all J equal (Phys. Rev., 1964, 135).

Exam results of Elisa Vitiello

Answer 1

To calculate the magnetic susceptibility of infinite graphene sheet with Ns= 1019 g-1 non-interacting magnetic defects, I consider the approximation: χtotal =χdiam +χCW

Where tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f2

and tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f3

The value of C for a concentration 1019 g-1 of unpaired ½ spins is given by:

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f4

tutorial_magnetism_graphene2In Figure is plotted the magnetic susceptibility as a function of temperature.

Answer 2

To calculate the magnetic susceptibility of infinite graphene sheet with 1019 g-1 of interacting defects there are two possibilities:

  • All spin occupy the same sublattice → Ferromagnetical interaction (J > 0)
  • The spins occupy different sublattices → Antiferromagnetical interaction (J< 0)

The description of this kind of interaction is given by the Heisenberg Hamiltonian, from which it’s possible to calculate the component χdim of susceptibility.

χtotal =χdiam +χdim

I take the same absolute value for the exchange integral: tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f5

tutorial_magnetism_graphene3

Considering the positive, single-J form of the Hamiltonian for the antiferromagnetic interaction,

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f7

Where C is the C(S = ½) calculated before: C = 6.232 10-6 emu K / g Oe.

tutorial_magnetism_graphene4

Similarly, for the ferromagnetic interaction I obtain the susceptibility as a function of temperature by replacing the J-sign in the equation:

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f6

 

tutorial_magnetism_graphene5The plot for ferromagnetic-interacting spins is similar to the Curie-Weiss law. To be more sensitive to the presence of interactions, it is useful to use the “χT plot”, where χ = χtot – χdiam. Indeed, in case of non-interacting spins I obtain a costant value as a function of T, giving by the Curie’s costant C.

 

At high temperatures the product χT for the interacting spins numerically approach the value of the Curie constant.

Exam results of Sebastiano De Cesari

Answer 3

To perform the calculation of the Magnetic Susceptibility (χ), I consider a quasi-one-dimensional carbon chains in fully hydrogenated graphene (Fig. 1).

tutorial_magnetism_graphene6

 

 

Fig. 1: Diagram of the quasi-1D considered structure

The parallel Magnetic Susceptibility (χ) is given by

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f8

In our particular case, the above formula can be written as a power series, up to the third order, and it becomes

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f10

where g=2.0023 is the Landé factor for electrons, μB the Bohr magneton, N=1019 the concentration of carbon atoms in the 1-D carbon chains, JkB⁄=100 ? the exchange interaction and kB the Boltzmann constant. The values of constants is:

A=0.25, B=0.14995, C=0.30094, D=1.9862, E=0.68854, F=6.0626.

tutorial_magnetism_graphene7The values of the Magnetic Susceptibility (χ) as a function of temperature is shown in the graph (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2: Magnetic Susceptibility (χ) as a function of temperature

Now, it is well known that the Curie constant is (S = ½)

tutorial_magnetism_graphene_f9

tutorial_magnetism_graphene8

By appropriately rescale the x and y axes, we obtain the graph (Fig. 3).

 

Fig. 3: Magnetic Susceptibility (χ) as a function of temperature. Rescaled

References

  1. Hyun-Jung Kim, Sangchul Oh, Jun-Hyung Cho, “Peierls instability and ferromagnetic ordering of quasi-one-dimensional carbon chains generated in H-passivated graphene”, Physical Review B 83, 235408 (2011);
  2. Jill C. Bonner, Michael E. Fisher, “Linear Magnetic Chains with Anisotropic Coupling”, Physical Review 135, 3A (1964);
  3. Christopher P. Landee, Mark M. Turnbull, “Review, a Gentle Introduction to Magnetism: units, field, theory, and experiment”, Journal of Coordination Chemistry, 67, 3 (2014);
  4. Lahti Magnetic Models, “Physical Constants, Units and Conversions”.