Issue 15, 2024

Local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states in (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices

Abstract

Superlattices constructed with the wide-band-gap semiconductor ZnO and magnetic oxide FeO, both in the wurtzite structure, have been investigated using spin-polarized first-principles calculations. The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices were studied in great detail. Two different interfaces in the (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices were identified and they showed very different magnetic and electronic properties. Local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states can arise from different Fe/Zn distributions at different interfaces or spin ordering of Fe in the superlattice. The local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states, originating either from different Fe/Zn distribution across interfaces I and II, or by spin ordering of Fe in the superlattice, can be identified. It was also found that, in the case of the ferromagnetic phase, the electrons are more delocalized for the majority spin but strongly localized for the minority spin, which resulted in interesting spin-dependent transport properties. Our results will pave the way for designing novel spin-dependent electronic devices through the construction of superlattices from semiconductors and multiferroics.

Graphical abstract: Local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states in (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Feb 2024
Accepted
25 Mar 2024
First published
26 Mar 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 12084-12096

Local symmetry-driven interfacial magnetization and electronic states in (ZnO)n/(w-FeO)n superlattices

J. Gao, Y. S. Ng, H. Cheng, H. Wang, T. Lü and J. Zheng, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 12084 DOI: 10.1039/D4CP00481G

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