Periodic Reporting for period 4 - GraM3 (Surface-grafted metallofullerene molecular magnets with controllable alignment of magnetic moments)
Reporting period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-11-30
Comprehensive magnetic studies of the large number of EMFs synthesized in the project allowed to identify the best fullerene-based single-molecule magnets used in further functionalization and surface depositions. Besides, these studies allowed s to formulate guiding principles for best fullerenes-SMMs and establish EMFs as a unique class of SMM with excellent magnetic properties.
The EMFs combining high production yields and excellent magnetic functionalities were then functionalized with surface-anchoring groups, which facilitate formation of self-assembled monolayers on suitable substrates. Then, monolayers of magnetic fullerenes were grown on conducting substrates either by vacuum sublimation (for unfunctionalized molecules) or by self-assembly from solution (for EMF derivatives with anchor groups). Morphology and electronic properties of monolayers were studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy, and their magnetic properties were then characterized by synchrotron-based X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. These studies proved that excellent magnetic properties for EMFs in powder samples were retained when they were deposited to metallic substrates, which is the necessary prerequisite for the use of SMMs in spintronic devices.