Ferromagnetic quasi-atomic electrons in two-dimensional electride

Abstract

An electride, a generalized form of cavity-trapped interstitial anionic electrons (IAEs) in a positively charged lattice framework, shows exotic properties according to the size and geometry of the cavities. Here, we report that the IAEs in layer structured [Gd₂C]²⁺·2e^- electride behave as ferromagnetic elements in two-dimensional interlayer space and possess their own magnetic moments of ~0.52 μ_B per quasi-atomic IAE, which facilitate the exchange interactions between interlayer gadolinium atoms across IAEs, inducing the ferromagnetism in [Gd₂C]²⁺·2e^- electride. The substitution of paramagnetic chlorine atoms for IAEs proves the magnetic nature of quasi-atomic IAEs through a transition from ferromagnetic [Gd₂C]²⁺·2e^- to antiferromagnetic Gd₂CCl caused by attenuating interatomic exchange interactions, consistent with theoretical calculations. These results confirm that quasi-atomic IAEs act as ferromagnetic elements and trigger ferromagnetic spin alignments within the antiferromagnetic [Gd₂C]²⁺ lattice framework. These results present a broad opportunity to tailor intriguing ferromagnetism originating from quasi-atomic interstitial electrons in low-dimensional materials.