Thin film synthesis of the organic-based magnet vanadium ethyl tricyanoethylenecarboxylate

Abstract

We report the preparation and characterization of a new thin film organic-based magnet V[ETCEC]_x, with T_C of 161 ± 10 K, via low temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD; T = 55 °C). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates the ratio of V to ETCEC is 1 : 1.4. In addition, analysis of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy suggests a similar physical structure to V[ETCEC]_x powder, with all nitrile and carbonyl oxygen coordinating to V(II) sites. Temperature-, field-, and frequency-dependent measurements of the magnetization as well as ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements reveal complex magnetic behavior with a magnetic transition to a more disordered state at a freezing temperature just below the Curie temperature. The development of this magnetic thin film enables the direct incorporation of V[ETCEC]_x into existing organic spintronics devices and opens up the potential exploration of all-organic magnetic heterostructures.