Atomic structure and large magnetic anisotropy in air-sensitive layered ferromagnetic VI3

摘要

We report the air-sensitivity, atomic structure, and magnetic anisotropy of VI3 single crystals. We find that VI3 nanocrystals exhibit a large MR/MS ratio of around 0.75 and a uniaxial anisotropic constant of an order of 105 erg cc−1 below the Curie temperature. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations reveal that both the monolayer and bulk VI3 are ferromagnetic insulators, and the magnetic moment of the system arises mainly from the d orbital of the V atom. These findings open a feasible avenue to fabricating TEM specimens of air-sensitive layered materials, providing an in-depth comprehensive understanding of a layered ferromagnetic VI3.