Dimensionality confined magnetism in the RuCl3 based correlated 2D materials with geometrically frustrated lattices

• Applicant: Dr. Maria Roslova
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 419941440

Materials with a honeycomb lattice derived from alpha-RuCl3, which is a prototypical topological quantum spin liquid system in two dimensions, will be used as versatile test-beds for (a) downscaling to few layered nanosheets by wet-chemical functionalization, (b) developing design principles for 2D mixed-metal nanomaterials based on modulation of their structure, composition and stoichiometry, (c) exploring possible hybrid structures combining different types of interfaces.The essential research steps to achieve these goals will be:1) To design and to exploit the downscaling routes for transition metal trihalides, including mixed-metal compounds. To push the production of isolated 2D crystals to the highest attainable level.2) To explore the nature of intercalates emerging during the wet chemistry functionalization of bulk MCl3 (M = 3d-, 4d-metals). To reveal the structural and compositional impact of the inserted guest atoms on the magnetic, transport and spectroscopic behavior of the 2D materials.3) To develop the synthesis methods for hybrid structures that combine different types of interfaces.4) To acquire systematic data about the structure and morphology of the 2D MCl3 (M = 3d-, 4d-metals) crystals for a detailed evaluation of structural and electronic parameters with a sub-nanometer precision.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Bernd Büchner