Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules

By combining density functional theory with the non-equilibrium Green’s function method, we conducted a first-principles investigation of spin-dependent transport properties in a molecular device featuring a dynamic covalent chemical bridge connected to zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes. The eff...

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Main Authors: Haiyan Wang, Shuaiqi Liu, Chao Wu, Fang Xie, Zhiqiang Fan, Xiaobo Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/10/759
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author Haiyan Wang
Shuaiqi Liu
Chao Wu
Fang Xie
Zhiqiang Fan
Xiaobo Li
author_facet Haiyan Wang
Shuaiqi Liu
Chao Wu
Fang Xie
Zhiqiang Fan
Xiaobo Li
author_sort Haiyan Wang
collection DOAJ
description By combining density functional theory with the non-equilibrium Green’s function method, we conducted a first-principles investigation of spin-dependent transport properties in a molecular device featuring a dynamic covalent chemical bridge connected to zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes. The effects of spin-filtering and spin-rectifying on the <i>I</i>–<i>V</i> characteristics are revealed and explained for the proposed molecular device. Interestingly, our results demonstrate that all three devices exhibit significant single-spin-filtering behavior in parallel (P) magnetization and dual-spin-filtering effects in antiparallel (AP) configurations, achieving nearly 100% spin-filtering efficiency. At the same time, from the <i>I</i>–<i>V</i> curves, we find that there is a weak negative differential resistance effect. Moreover, a high rectifying ratio is found for spin-up electron transport in AP magnetization, which is explained by the transmission spectrum and local density of state. The fundamental mechanisms governing these phenomena have been elucidated through a systematic analysis of spin-resolved transmission spectra and spin-polarized electron transport pathways. These results extend the design principles of spin-controlled molecular electronics beyond graphene-based systems, offering a universal strategy for manipulating spin-polarized currents through dynamic covalent interfaces. The nearly ideal spin-filtering efficiency and tunable rectification suggest potential applications in energy-efficient spintronic logic gates and non-volatile memory devices, while the methodology provides a framework for optimizing spin-dependent transport in hybrid organic–inorganic nanoarchitectures. Our findings suggest that such systems are promising candidates for future spintronic applications.
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spelling doaj-art-3a08cb2130ca4d3bbab4dda5eee4195d2025-08-20T02:33:47ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-05-01151075910.3390/nano15100759Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging MoleculesHaiyan Wang0Shuaiqi Liu1Chao Wu2Fang Xie3Zhiqiang Fan4Xiaobo Li5College of Physics Science and Engineering Technology, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, ChinaXiangjiang Laboratory, School of Microelectronics and Physics, Hunan University of Technology and Business, Changsha 410205, ChinaCollege of Physics Science and Engineering Technology, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, ChinaCollege of Physics Science and Engineering Technology, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, ChinaSchool of Physics and Electronic Science, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, ChinaSchool of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaBy combining density functional theory with the non-equilibrium Green’s function method, we conducted a first-principles investigation of spin-dependent transport properties in a molecular device featuring a dynamic covalent chemical bridge connected to zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes. The effects of spin-filtering and spin-rectifying on the <i>I</i>–<i>V</i> characteristics are revealed and explained for the proposed molecular device. Interestingly, our results demonstrate that all three devices exhibit significant single-spin-filtering behavior in parallel (P) magnetization and dual-spin-filtering effects in antiparallel (AP) configurations, achieving nearly 100% spin-filtering efficiency. At the same time, from the <i>I</i>–<i>V</i> curves, we find that there is a weak negative differential resistance effect. Moreover, a high rectifying ratio is found for spin-up electron transport in AP magnetization, which is explained by the transmission spectrum and local density of state. The fundamental mechanisms governing these phenomena have been elucidated through a systematic analysis of spin-resolved transmission spectra and spin-polarized electron transport pathways. These results extend the design principles of spin-controlled molecular electronics beyond graphene-based systems, offering a universal strategy for manipulating spin-polarized currents through dynamic covalent interfaces. The nearly ideal spin-filtering efficiency and tunable rectification suggest potential applications in energy-efficient spintronic logic gates and non-volatile memory devices, while the methodology provides a framework for optimizing spin-dependent transport in hybrid organic–inorganic nanoarchitectures. Our findings suggest that such systems are promising candidates for future spintronic applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/10/759first principle calculationgraphene nanoribbonspin transport propertiesspin-filtering effectspin-rectifying
spellingShingle Haiyan Wang
Shuaiqi Liu
Chao Wu
Fang Xie
Zhiqiang Fan
Xiaobo Li
Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules
Nanomaterials
first principle calculation
graphene nanoribbon
spin transport properties
spin-filtering effect
spin-rectifying
title Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules
title_full Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules
title_fullStr Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules
title_full_unstemmed Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules
title_short Nanoarchitectonics and Theoretical Evaluation on Electronic Transport Mechanism of Spin-Filtering Devices Based on Bridging Molecules
title_sort nanoarchitectonics and theoretical evaluation on electronic transport mechanism of spin filtering devices based on bridging molecules
topic first principle calculation
graphene nanoribbon
spin transport properties
spin-filtering effect
spin-rectifying
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/10/759
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