Intrinsic Magnetism in Nanosheets of SnO${}_2$: A First-principles Study

Abstract

We propose intrinsic magnetism in nanosheets of SnO${}_2$, based on first-principles calculations. The electronic structure and spin density reveal that $p$ orbitals of the oxygen atoms, surrounding Sn vacancies, have a non itinerant nature which gives birth to localized magnetism. A giant decrease in defect formation energies of Sn vacancies in nanosheets is observed. We, therefore, believe that native defects can be stabilized without any chemical doping. Nanosheets of different thicknesses are also studied, and it is found that it is easier to create vacancies, which are magnetic, at the surface of the sheets. SnO${}_2$ nanosheets can, therefore, open new opportunities in the field of spintronics.

arXiv commentJ. Magn. Magn. Mate. 2012 (Accepted)

References in corpus (6)

• The SIESTA method for ab initio order-N materials simulation
• Efficient index handling of multidimensional periodic boundary conditions
• High Temperature Ferromagnetism with Giant Magnetic Moment in Transparent Co-doped SnO2-d
• Vacancy-induced magnetism in SnO${}_2$: A density functional study
• Polaronic distortion and vacancy-induced magnetism in MgO
• Surface-induced magnetism in C-doped SnO${}_2$

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Stabilizing intrinsic defects in SnO${}_2$
• Nitrogen-induced Ferromagnetism in BaO
• Distortion and electric field control of band structure of silicene
• Spin-polarized surface state in Li-doped SnO${}_2$(001)
• Defects-driven magnetism in bulk $\alpha$-Li${}_3$N