Electrochemically Tunable Magnetic Phase Transition in a High- <i>T</i> _c Chromium Cyanide Thin Film

TLDR

These magnets combine magnetic properties with electrical functions. The authors synthesized high‑Tc ferrimagnetic thin films of mixed‑valence chromium cyanides via a simple electrochemical route. The films exhibit a tunable Tc up to 270 K, with the transition temperature controllable and reversible electrochemically, allowing reversible switching between ferrimagnetic and paramagnetic states.

Abstract

Molecular-based ferrimagnetic thin films with high critical temperatures ( T c ) composed of mixed-valence chromium cyanides were synthesized by means of a simple electrochemical route. The highest T c was 270 K, obtained for Cr 2.12 (CN) 6 . The T c values were easily controlled by changing the preparation conditions. Moreover, a reversible shift of T c could be electrochemically induced. As a result of such electrochemical control, these cyanides can be switched reversibly back and forth between ferrimagnetism and paramagnetism. These magnets thus represent materials in which magnetic properties are combined with electrical functions.