Controlling Magnetism in the 2D van der Waals Antiferromagnet CrPS${}_4$ via Ion Intercalation

Abstract

Two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials are versatile platforms for tailoring electronic and magnetic properties, in which the insertion of chemical species into their interlayer gaps offers a powerful route to engineer magnetism. Here, we focus on the A-type antiferromagnetic semiconductor CrPS${}_4$ (T${}_N$ = 38 K) and investigate its electronic and magnetic properties upon intercalation of lithium (Li${}^{+}$) and organic tetrabutylammonium (TBA${}^{+}$) ions using first-principles calculations. Our results show that Li${}^{+}$ incorporation induces a semiconductor-to-metal transition in CrPS${}_4$ and selectively modifies its magnetic behaviour: switching from out-of-plane to in-plane antiferromagnetism, followed by an in-plane ferromagnetic ground state at higher intercalation levels. This is accompanied by a continuous increase of the ordering temperature, reaching a fivefold enhancement for Li${}_{0.5}$CrPS${}_4$. Similarly, TBA${}^{+}$ intercalation expands the vdW gap, decoupling CrPS${}_4$ layers and stabilising in-plane ferromagnetism with a T${}_C$ above 100 K. Furthermore, it also modifies magnon propagation, leading to enhanced group velocities and a more isotropic magnon transport. This work highlights intercalation as a powerful and versatile approach for controlling magnetic behaviour and spin dynamics, paving the way for the design of tunable 2D layered magnetic materials for spintronic and magnonic applications.