Structural, magnetic and electronic properties of single Iron atom at graphene edges

Abstract

A systemic theoretical study of one iron atom on graphene ribbon edges (Fe/GR) has been carried out by using density functional theory. Thermodynamic stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe/GR with different edge types and adsorption locations were investigated. According to the Clar's aromatic sextet rule, the formation energies and density of states of Fe atom are found to rely tightly on the ribbon's periodic length. Moreover, Fe atoms on reconstructed zz edges are also stable with low formation energies and semiconducting properties. Finally, the magnetic properties are found sensitive with the structural details, especially the local bond environment. The present theoretical results constitute a useful picture for the deep comprehending on the interface details of the lateral Fe/graphene heterostructures.