Thickness-Dependent Ambient Effects on the Curie Temperatures and Magnetic Domains of Metallic Two-Dimensional Magnets

The emergent magnetic two-dimensional (2D) materials provide ideal solid-state platforms for a broad range of applications including miniaturized spintronics and magnetoelectric sensors. Owing to the general air sensitivity of 2D magnets, the understanding of ambient effects on 2D magnetism is critical. Apparently, the nature of itinerant ferromagnetism potentially makes metallic 2D magnets insensitive to environmental disturbance. Nevertheless, our systematic study showed that the Curie temperature of metallic 2D Fe₃GeTe₂ decreases dramatically in the air but thick Fe₃GeTe₂ exhibits self-protection. Remarkably, we found the air exposure effectively promotes the formation of multiple magnetic domains in 2D Fe₃GeTe₂, but not in bulk Fe₃GeTe₂. Our first-principles calculations support the scenario that substrate-induced roughness and tellurium vacancies boost the interaction of 2D Fe₃GeTe₂ with the air. Our elucidation of the thickness-dependent ambient effects on the Curie temperatures and magnetic domains in 2D magnets provides critical insights for chemically decorating and manipulating 2D magnets.