Strong Magnetic Coupling in Molecular Magnets through Direct Metal-Metal Bonds

Published February 11, 2021

Molecular structure of the neutral Ni4(NPtBu3)4

An exciting advance of interest to future molecular-scale information storage. By using the uniquely high frequency Electron Magnetic Resonance techniques available at the MagLab, researchers have found single molecule magnets that feature direct metal orbital overlap (instead of weak superexchange interactions), resulting in behavior similar to metallic feromagnets that is far more suitable to future technologies than previous molecular magnets.

What did scientists discover?

This study demonstrates the possibility of designing magnetic molecules featuring direct metal-metal bonds, similar to those found in metallic ferromagnets such as elemental iron.

Why is this important?

The work identifies new strategies for bottom-up synthetic assembly of robust ferromagnetic nanoparticles using low-cost, earth-abundant elements that may one day operate at room temperature or above. Such objects hold promise for the development of future molecular-scale magnetic storage applications, featuring information densities exceeding those of current technologies by one to two orders of magnitude.

Who did the research?

K. Chakarawet¹, M. Atanasov^2,3, J. Marbey⁴, P. C. Bunting¹, F. Neese², S. Hill⁴ and J. R. Long^1,5

¹UC Berkeley; ²Max Planck Inst. for Coal Research; ³Bulgarian Academy of Science; ⁴National MagLab FSU; ⁵LBNL

Why did they need the MagLab?

Due to the strong magnetic interactions among the itinerant electrons in these metallic nanoparticles, high magnetic fields combined with spectrometers covering a wide range of microwave frequencies are essential for gaining fundamental insights into this promising new class of magnetic materials. Such world-unique experimental capabilities can only be found within the MagLab’s Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) facility.