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Ultrahard Molecular Magnets Based on Heavy Transition Metals

Project description

Building the next generation of molecular magnets

Permanent magnets are vital for modern technology, but rare-earth magnets depend on imported materials and are difficult to tune. Molecule-based magnets offer a lightweight, soft, and customisable alternative, but most rely on 3d metals, leaving 4d and 5d metal frameworks largely unexplored. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the UltraMolMag project aims to synthesise metal-radical systems using 4d and 5d cationic centres, unlocking stronger spin-orbit coupling and ultrahard magnetic properties at room temperature. By carefully tuning coordination chemistry and building extended radical frameworks, researchers will create porous magnets whose magnetic hysteresis can be controlled via guest adsorption, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance molecular magnets.

Objective

Molecule-based magnets are crystalline materials that exhibit magnetic properties analogous to those observed in traditional permanent magnets, but they can also show unique desirable functionalities, including low density, mechanical softness and physical tunability. In particular, the use of organic radicals in combination with 3d metals has been demonstrated by the Host group of Dr. hab. Rodolphe Clérac to produce high-temperature molecular magnets. However, frameworks featuring cationic 4d and 5d metal nodes are significantly underrepresented in this field of research, despite the fact that they offer more diffused d orbitals and greater spin-orbit coupling. The combination of these characteristics with the strong magnetic coupling offered by the radical ligands should result in the creation of ultrahard magnets operating at room temperature. This would challenge the monopoly of rare-earth magnets, the production of which is dependent on the supply of precursors that must imported into the EU. Therefore, the main objective of the UltraMolMag project is to develop a suitable synthetic methodology for the preparation of metal-radical systems featuring 4d and 5d elements as cationic centers. Their incorporation into extended systems is a formidable challenge, however, they can be tamed by the chemical tuning of the coordination sphere. In this project inert metal centers will be activated by preparing precursor complexes with labile substituents. Conversely, the unwanted catalytic activity will be mitigated by binding metal ions in the form of pre-organized units. The ultimate aim is to develop porous magnets based on extended radical anions, which will for the first time enable control over magnetic hysteresis through guest adsorption at room temperature. The implementation of this project will result in the creation of a library of heavy transition metal precursors and the fellow will receive training in the characterization of target frameworks.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution
€ 226 420,56
Address
RUE MICHEL ANGE 3
75794 Paris
France
Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost
No data