Spin-selective transport in edge-passivated zigzag magnesium dichloride nanoribbons: Towards bipolar spin diode and spin rectification devices

Abstract

In the present work, we investigate the electronic, magnetic, and spin transport properties of zigzag MgCl2 (ZMgCl2) nanoribbons with different types of edge passivation using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green’s function techniques. Our findings reveal that the ZMgCl2 nanoribbon with Cl edges (ClαClα) and Mg edges (MgMg) exhibits distinct properties depending on the type of passivation. Passivation with O and F on ClαClα edges transforms the nanoribbon into a magnetic semiconductor. Passivation with H and F on MgMg edges results in a semiconductor behavior, B passivation leads to a half-metal behavior, and O passivation to a magnetic semiconductor. Additionally, our transport simulations demonstrate that the ClαClα-F nanoribbon operates as a single spin filter under bias voltage. For the MgMg-B nanoribbon, the behavior varies depending on the magnetic configuration of the electrodes. In the parallel configuration, MgMg-B also functions as a single spin filter, whereas in the antiparallel configuration, it operates as a dual spin filter device. Overall, our results highlight the remarkable potential of two-dimensional MgCl2 for spintronics applications, emphasizing the influence of edge passivation on the electronic and transport properties of nanoribbons.