Easily processable spin filters: exploring the chiral induced spin selectivity of bowl-shaped chiral subphthalocyanines

Abstract

High spin polarization (SP) in studies of chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) is only observed when chiral molecules are properly organized. This is generally achieved by using anchoring groups or complex supramolecular polymers. A new class of spin filters based on bowl-shaped aromatics is reported, which form high-quality thin-films by simply spin-coating and displaying high spin filtering properties. In particular, we fabricate devices containing enantiopure tribromo-subphthalocyanines (SubPcs), and measure the CISS effect by means of magnetic conductive probe atomic force microscopy (mc-AFM). Circular dichroism and AFM experiments reveal that the resulting thin-film presents a well-ordered chiral structure. Remarkably, the resulting devices show SPs as high as ca. 50%, which are comparable to those obtained by using the current complex methodologies. These results boost the potential of bowl-shaped aromatics as easily processable spin filters, opening new frontiers toward realistic and efficient spintronic devices based on the CISS effect.