Harnessing the Electronic Spin States of Single Atoms for Precise Electromagnetic Modulation

Adv Mater. 2024 Dec 27:e2418321. doi: 10.1002/adma.202418321. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

By manipulating their asymmetric electronic spin states, the unique electronic structures and unsaturated coordination environments of single atoms can be effectively harnessed to control their magnetic properties. In this research, the first investigation is presented into the regulation of magnetic properties through the electronic spin states of single atoms. Magnetic single-atom one-dimensional materials, M-N-C/ZrO2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni), with varying electronic spin states, are design and synthesize based on the electronic orbital structure model. The SAs 3d electron spin structure of the composite M-N-C modulates the magneto physical properties and triggers a unique natural resonance loss, which achieves a controllable tuning of the effective absorption band under low-frequency conditions. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of M-N-C can reach -69.71 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) ratio is as high as 91% (2-18 GHz). The current work provides a path toward achieving controllable modulation of low-frequency electromagnetic wave bands by exploring the mechanism through which atomic and even electronic level interactions influence magnetic modulation.

Keywords: electronic spin states; low‐frequency; magnetic modulation; microwave‐absorbing materials; single‐atoms.