Magnetic Properties of One-Dimensional Molecular Wires

One-dimensional molecular wires are nanoscale assemblies in which discrete molecular units are linked in a linear chain, enabling charge and spin to propagate along a single axis. Recent advances have revealed that the incorporation of transition-metal centres and carefully chosen organic ligands can induce robust magnetic phenomena, including ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism and half-metallicity, within these ultrathin structures. The spatial confinement inherent in one dimension enhances electron correlation and spin-dependent interactions, giving rise to quantised conductance steps, spin filtering and high Curie temperatures that are not attainable in bulk materials. Control over coupling pathways—whether through direct metal–metal overlaps or superexchange via π-conjugated linkers—permits fine-tuning of magnetic ordering and anisotropy. These discoveries open avenues for molecular spintronics, where individual wires act as spin valves, filters or quantum bits, and promise integration into next-generation memory, logic and sensing devices.

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Magnetic Properties of One-Dimensional Molecular Wires publication trend

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Technical terms

One-dimensional molecular wire: A linear assembly of molecular units or metal–ligand complexes that supports electron and spin transport along a single axis.

Spin transport: The movement of electron spin angular momentum through a material, distinct from charge transport.

Half-metal: A material acting as a conductor for electrons of one spin orientation and as an insulator or semiconductor for the opposite spin.

Superexchange coupling: An indirect magnetic interaction between neighbouring magnetic centres mediated by nonmagnetic ligands.

Spin filter: A component or material that preferentially transmits electrons of a specific spin orientation, enabling spin-polarised currents.

Ferromagnetic: A type of magnetic ordering in which parallel alignment of spins yields a net magnetic moment.

Antiferromagnetic: A magnetic state characterised by alternating spin orientations on adjacent sites, resulting in no net magnetisation.

Curie temperature: The critical temperature above which a ferromagnetic material loses its spontaneous magnetisation and becomes paramagnetic.

References

1. Symmetry-driven half-integer conductance quantization in Cobalt–fulvalene sandwich nanowire. npj Computational Materials (2023).
2. Ab Initio Study of Structural, Electronic and Magnetic Properties of TM&(B@C60) (TM = V, Cr) Sandwich Clusters and Infinite Molecular Wires. Nanomaterials (2022).
3. Magnetic and electronic properties of porphyrin-based molecular nanowires. AIP Advances (2016).