Tomorrow’s data storage: Exploring molecular magnets in slow motion
Whether hard disks, memory chips or sensors – it is magnets that make it possible to store data. The basis for this is the spin of electrons. With a new type of magnet, the molecular magnet, it could be possible in the future to store considerably more data.
These “molecular” magnets consist of a metal center that is connected to so-called organic ligands and thus forms a molecule, says Lena Scherthan from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (TUK), first author of the current study. “Only certain metals are suitable for this type of molecule. These include iron, for example, but also less well-known chemical elements from the lanthanide group, such as the dysprosium with which the TUK team works. These materials are also known as rare earths. The special thing about them: Their electrons can generate a relatively strong magnetic moment. The Kaiserslautern research team and the research group led by chemist Professor Annie K. Powell from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are investigating the storage capacity and how it can be improved.
For the first time, Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to investigate a molecular magnet with dysprosium as its metal centre. The experiments were carried out at extremely low temperatures of -269 degrees Celsius in liquid helium. Such low temperatures are necessary because many of the molecular magnets only have their characteristic properties under these conditions.
The spectroscopy technique allows a more detailed view into the atomic cosmos. This enables researchers to draw conclusions about the interactions between metal nuclei and ligands. “We look at the properties of the metal center in a similar way to slow motion,” says the scientist, comparing the method she presents with her fellow researchers in her current study. “We see more than with conventional methods. For example, we see how quickly the system returns to its original state and how long the molecule’s storage time is.
The goal of the Kaiserslautern and Karlsruhe research groups is to better understand the characteristic properties of molecular magnets in order to strategically develop further systems. In addition to systems that only have a single metal centre, the scientists are also investigating the properties of molecular magnets that have two or more metal centres. The focus here is on the interactions between the metals. “This could lead to better storage behaviour,” said Scherthan.
The work was carried out as part of the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre “Cooperative Effects in Homo and Heterometallic Complexes” (SFB/TRR 883 MET). Research teams from the fields of chemistry and physics are working on molecular systems with two to four metal centres. One of the goals is to develop new properties and functions at the molecular level, for example to obtain more efficient materials for magnetic storage or more effective catalysts for chemical reactions.
The study was first published in the renowned journal Angewandte Chemie (Applied Chemistry).
More information: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ange.201810505
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