A novel class of one-dimensional Ta4TMTe4 (TM = Cr, Fe, Co and Ni) compounds with strain-switched magnetic states†
Abstract
The development of one-dimensional (1D) nanowires with controllable magnetic properties is important for spintronic applications. Herein, we systematically investigated the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of 1D transition-metal (TM) compounds (Ta4TMTe4, TM = Cr, Fe, Co and Ni) through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Ta4CrTe4 and Ta4FeTe4 are non-magnetic, while Ta4CoTe4 and Ta4NiTe4 are predicted to have antiferromagnetic ground states. Interestingly, uniaxial strain can induce nonmagnetism–ferromagnetism and nonmagnetism–antiferromagnetism transitions in Ta4CrTe4 and Ta4FeTe4 nanowires, respectively. Moreover, the antiferromagnetic ground states in Ta4CoTe4 and Ta4NiTe4 can be switched to ferromagnetic states through moderate strain. These strain-dependent magnetic moment and magnetic coupling transitions are related to the redistribution of d states in TM atoms. Our findings suggest a new route for facilitating the design of nanoelectronics and spintronics.