Molecular Spintronics
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
Over the last decade there has been tremendous growth in the fields of spintronics and organic electronics. Individually, these fields promise to deal with two aspects of the challenges now facing modern inorganic semiconductor electronics: the first being the need - driven by ever increasing power densities and the quest for quantum computers - to exploit degrees of freedom other than the electron charge; the second being the desire for very cheap, universally printable circuits. Although the term 'spintronics' is relatively new, and refers to the manipulation and measurement of the spin rather than just the charge of the electron, information technology has long depended on the electron spin for data storage. Arguably the first advanced spintronic devices are the magnetoresistive (where an external magnetic field modulates the electrical resistance of a material) read heads which have revolutionised hard-drive data storage. The next major use of spintronics will almost certainly be in magnetic random access memory (MRAM), which will combine many of the advantages (notably access speed) of DRAM with the non-volatility of hard drives.Thanks to their low cost, ease of processing, chemical versatility and compatibility with flexible substrates, molecular semiconductors such as phthalocyanines, porphyrins and perylenes, whose key features are rings of carbon atoms, are establishing themselves as attractive alternatives to inorganic semiconductors, such as silicon, for a variety of optoelectronic devices, e.g. organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and photovoltaics (OPV). These materials are extremely versatile, with a long history in biomedicine; indeed chlorophyll (which converts light into energy in plants) is a porphyrin derivative and phthalocyanine derivatives are used in cancer therapy. They also have properties that make them desirable for spintronics. Their long spin relaxation times are already being exploited, for example, in spin valve devices where amorphous organic films are used as spacers. Furthermore, they are endowed with high molecular purity compared to inorganic crystal lattices, and display tremendous flexibility for insertion of magnetic entities into molecular frameworks which can be tailored at will, contrary to what can be attained in gallium arsenide (GaAs), the most widely used inorganic semiconductor material for spintronics. Other major advantages of organic molecules are highly tuneable optical properties and large magneto-optic effects in the visible region of the spectrum, which are compatible with discrete local switching.Our research will develop the new field of molecular spintronics, with the specific aim of creating a platform technology for magneto-optics, electronics, and molecular recognition. The platform will be developed for areas where organics have unique advantages. We look forward to particularly dramatic impacts on biology where functionalization is more straightforward than for inorganics, and for quantum information technology where the separation into magnetic ion and ligand subsystems provides independent addressability of qubits (the magnetic ions which can be positioned at will in the carbon ring centers) and control bits (the overlapping ligand - carbon ring - orbitals) which cannot be readily achieved in inorganic solids. To carry out the programme, we have assembled an interdisciplinary team from London and Warwick which has already combined informally to perform groundbreaking proof of concept work, including the fabrication of phthalocyanine nanowires and observation of highly informative magnetic resonance in molecular thin films, for the current proposal. The project has a very specific set of objectives, ranging from optically controlled magnetic interactions to a novel bioassay chip relying on magnetic resonance. To facilitate management, there will be work-packages for film deposition and characterization, devices, biology and theory.
Publications
Gardener JA
(2010)
A novel route for the inclusion of metal dopants in silicon.
in Nanotechnology
Goode A
(2017)
Analytical transmission electron microscopy at organic interfaces
in Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science
Attwood M
(2021)
Asymmetric N -heteroacene tetracene analogues as potential n-type semiconductors
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Stott J
(2011)
Bottom-Contact Pentacene Thin-Film Transistors on Silicon Nitride
in IEEE Electron Device Letters
Kim D
(2020)
Comparison of organic and inorganic layers for structural templating of pentacene thin films
in Materials Horizons
Wu Z
(2019)
Controlling Ferromagnetic Ground States and Solitons in Thin Films and Nanowires Built from Iron Phthalocyanine Chains
in Advanced Functional Materials
Cowen L
(2022)
Critical analysis of self-doping and water-soluble n-type organic semiconductors: structures and mechanisms
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Tay SE
(2016)
Direct in situ observation of ZnO nucleation and growth via transmission X-ray microscopy.
in Nanoscale
Illy B
(2011)
Electrodeposition of ZnO layers for photovoltaic applications: controlling film thickness and orientation
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Cruickshank A
(2011)
Electrodeposition of ZnO Nanostructures on Molecular Thin Films
in Chemistry of Materials
Robaschik P
(2017)
Formation of ferromagnetic molecular thin films from blends by annealing.
in Beilstein journal of nanotechnology
Pilia L
(2013)
Giant Magnetoresistance in a Molecular Thin Film as an Intrinsic Property
in Advanced Functional Materials
Lubert-Perquel D
(2019)
Growth, morphology and structure of mixed pentacene films
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Serri M
(2014)
High-temperature antiferromagnetism in molecular semiconductor thin films and nanostructures.
in Nature communications
Leber R
(2017)
High-Vacuum Deposition of Biferrocene Thin Films on Room-Temperature Substrates
in Chemistry of Materials
Eguchi K
(2016)
Highly-oriented molecular arrangements and enhanced magnetic interactions in thin films of CoTTDPz using PTCDA templates.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Lubert-Perquel D
(2018)
Identifying triplet pathways in dilute pentacene films.
in Nature communications
Hatch S
(2013)
Influence of anneal atmosphere on ZnO-nanorod photoluminescent and morphological properties with self-powered photodetector performance
in Journal of Applied Physics
Wu W
(2013)
Magnetic properties of copper hexadecaphthalocyanine (F16CuPc) thin films and powders
in Journal of Applied Physics
Alexander J
(2016)
Measurement of optical properties in organic photovoltaic materials using monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Perfetti M
(2016)
Molecular Order in Buried Layers of TbPc2 Single-Molecule Magnets Detected by Torque Magnetometry.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Heutz Sandrine
(2015)
MOLECULAR SPINTRONICS A warm exchange
in NATURE MATERIALS
Heutz S
(2015)
Molecular spintronics: A warm exchange.
in Nature materials
Westacott P
(2013)
On the role of intermixed phases in organic photovoltaic blends
in Energy & Environmental Science
Gardener J
(2011)
Oxide Nanoparticle Thin Films Created Using Molecular Templates
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Warner M
(2013)
Potential for spin-based information processing in a thin-film molecular semiconductor.
in Nature
Tseng H
(2020)
Properties and degradation of manganese(III) porphyrin thin films formed by high vacuum sublimation
in Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines
Gilchrist J
(2017)
Revealing structure and electronic properties at organic interfaces using TEM
in Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science
Fleet LR
(2017)
Self-Assembled Molecular Nanowires for High-Performance Organic Transistors.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Warner M
(2012)
Spin-based diagnostic of nanostructure in copper phthalocyanine-C60 solar cell blends.
in ACS nano
Rochford L
(2015)
Structural Templating in a Nonplanar Phthalocyanine Using Single Crystal Copper Iodide
in Advanced Materials Interfaces
Lubert-Perquel D
(2020)
Structure Dependence of Kinetic and Thermodynamic Parameters in Singlet Fission Processes.
in The journal of physical chemistry letters
Warner B
(2013)
Temperature- and Light-Induced Spin Crossover Observed by X-ray Spectroscopy on Isolated Fe(II) Complexes on Gold.
in The journal of physical chemistry letters
Eguchi K
(2017)
Templating effects of tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazine on the structure and optical properties of copper phthalocyanine thin films
in Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines
Cruickshank AC
(2012)
The crystalline structure of copper phthalocyanine films on ZnO(1100).
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Ramadan A
(2015)
The influence of polar (0001) zinc oxide (ZnO) on the structure and morphology of vanadyl phthalocyanine (VOPc)
in RSC Advances
Ramadan A
(2016)
The morphology and structure of vanadyl phthalocyanine thin films on lithium niobate single crystals
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Wu W
(2011)
Theoretical modeling of the electronic structure and exchange interactions in a Cu(II)Pc one-dimensional chain
in Physical Review B
Wu W
(2012)
Theoretical modeling of the electronic structure and exchange interactions in Cu(II)Pc
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Tseng H
(2015)
Thin film properties of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) with novel templating effects
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Wang H
(2010)
Ultralong copper phthalocyanine nanowires with new crystal structure and broad optical absorption.
in ACS nano
Gilchrist J
(2014)
Uncovering Buried Structure and Interfaces in Molecular Photovoltaics
in Advanced Functional Materials
Gilchrist J
(2012)
Using TEM and XRD to probe crystal orientation in organic thin films grown with OMBD
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Description | - Created novel molecular magnetic thin films and nanostructures. - Established correlations between structure (both chemical and crystalline) of molecular materials and magnetic properties, both experimentally and theoretically. - Developed novel spin-based metrologies to assess molecular orientation and aggregation. - Created novel organic transistor structures. - Created nanowire transistors. - Controlled and exploited photoinduced spin states. |
Exploitation Route | Key findings for organic electronics (both device development and characterisation) and spintronics. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Electronics Energy Environment Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/s.heutz |
Description | Outreach - communication with the public Technology - spin-based (bio)sensor (patent under review) Policy - place of molecular materials in ICT through spintronics Industry - use of methodologies to image hard-soft interface. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | MatSEEC |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | MatSEEC is an ESF Temporary Expert Committee in the remit of and associated with the ESF Standing Committee for Physical and Engineering Sciences (PEN (formerly PESC)) with a task related term of 5 years starting on the date of its inauguration meeting. The mission shall include delivering foresight reports and scientific advice to PEN (formerly PESC) and ESF on issues related to Materials Science and Engineering and matters of concern to the related scientific communities, as well as to European National Agencies and Ministries, institutions of the European Commission, and the European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) upon request. The mission also included tasks related to peer-review and assessment of scientific research proposals. Further the Committee provided foresight surveys and scientific advice to ESF member organisations and European organisations. The Committee prepared strategic policy documents. |
URL | http://www.esf.org/hosting-experts/expert-boards-and-committees/materials-science-and-engineering.ht... |
Description | CASE |
Amount | £27,300 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 10/2018 |
Description | Foundations of Molecular Nanospintronics |
Amount | £124,259 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H002022/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2009 |
End | 04/2014 |
Description | ICAM |
Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | BP (British Petroleum) |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2013 |
End | 04/2018 |
Description | PhD studentship |
Amount | £21,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Kurt J Lesker Company |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2015 |
End | 02/2018 |
Description | SPIN-Lab |
Amount | £1,907,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P030548/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | COST Molecular Spintronics |
Organisation | University of Florence |
Department | Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am part of the European COST centre in MOlecular Spintronics. I am participating in workshops and conferences and seeding collaborations. I have a strong collaboration with Professor Roberta Sessoli at the University of Florence and the COST action funded one of my PhD student's stay in Florence for 2 weeks. My contribution is in the fabrication of molecular thin films. |
Collaborator Contribution | My collaborators in Florence contribute novel methodologies for the measurements of magnetic properties. |
Impact | 10. M. Perfetti, M. Serri, L. Poggini, M. Mannini, P. Sainctavit, S. Heutz, R. Sessoli, Molecular order in buried layers of TbPc2 Single-Molecule Magnets detected by torque magnetometry, Adv. Mater. 28 (2016) 6946. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with Grand Challenge/TSB |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contribution and collaboration with Professor Mary Ryan's programme "Development of Prototype High Efficiency Multi-Junction Organic Solar Cells" (EP/J500161/1) |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Inclusion into UK-Japan partnership |
Organisation | Nagoya University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The PI has been included into a UK-Japan programme on "Radical New Materials for Organic Electronics", participated in workshops and hosted students. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Inclusion into UK-Japan partnership |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The PI has been included into a UK-Japan programme on "Radical New Materials for Organic Electronics", participated in workshops and hosted students. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Participation in UK-Japan research collaboration |
Organisation | Nagoya University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The PI has been included into a UK-Japan programme on "Radical New Materials for Organic Electronics", participated in workshops and hosted students. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Title | Spin-based biosensor |
Description | Development of a new method using electron paramagnetic resonance to detect biomolecules with high sensitivity |
IP Reference | |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | None so far |
Description | School partnership (Coleridge) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Developed a project on solar cells with local primary school. Obtained through Royal Society Partnership grant "juiced up and solar empowered". Involved targeted classroom activities (targeted 240 children) and presentation to the school (targeted 360 children) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/partnership-grants/ |
Description | Soapbox science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Participated to soapbox science event supported by l'Oreal for/via women in Science. Entitled: "From car paint to supercomputers, the story of multitasking molecules". Reached general public and media (http://www.theguardian.com/careers/women-science-careers) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
URL | http://soapboxscience.org/?page_id=7 |