Functionalization of the electronic and magnetic properties of silicene by halogen atoms unilateral adsorption: a...

Based on first-principles calculations, the structure, electronic and magnetic properties of unilateral halogenated silicene Si₂X₁ (X  =  F, Cl, Br, I) are investigated. The formation energies of all the configurations of studied Si₂X₁ (X  =  F, Cl, Br, I) are found to be lower than that in pristine silicene, which indicates the strong stability. The band structure of half-fluorinated configuration Si₂F₁ presents metallic property, while other unilateral halogenated silicene Si₂X₁ (X  =  Cl, Br, I) exhibits half-metallic properties. In unilateral halogenated silicene Si₂X₁ (X  =  Cl, Br, I), the unpaired electrons in unsaturated silicon atom produce the localized magnetic moment. However, due to the strong electronegativity in F atom, the half-fluorinated silicene Si₂F₁ is almost non-magnetic. The metallic property of Si₂F₁ configuration can be tuned to half-metallic by applying biaxial tensile strain from 11.95% to 13.51%. Furthermore, applying biaxial tensile strains can tune the half-metallic property of unilateral halogenated silicene Si₂X₁ (X  =  Cl, Br, I) to a semiconductor. This half-metallic property in unilateral halogenated silicene Si₂X₁ (X  =  Cl, Br, I) can be recovered and can even be tuned to metallic if continually increasing the biaxial tensile strains.