Development of graphene spintronic devices relies on transforming it into a material with a spin order. Attempts to make graphene magnetic by introducing zigzag edge states have failed due to energetically unstable structure of torn zigzag edges. Here, we report on the formation of nanoridges, i.e., stable crystallographically oriented fluorine monoatomic chains, and provide experimental evidence for strongly coupled magnetic states at the graphene-fluorographene interfaces. From the first principle calculations, the spins at the localized edge states are ferromagnetically ordered within each of the zigzag interface whereas the spin interaction across a nanoridge is antiferromagnetic. Magnetic susceptibility data agree with this physical picture and exhibit behaviour typical of quantum spin-ladder system with ferromagnetic legs and antiferromagnetic rungs. The exchange coupling constant along the rungs is measured to be 450 K. The coupling is strong enough to consider graphene with fluorine nanoridges as a candidate for a room temperature spintronics material.

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes filled with iron nanoparticles were combined with polystyrene to evaluate interface interactions and nanotube orientation in composite using magnetic susceptibility measurements. Iron-containing species were introduced into MWCNT cavities as the result of catalytic chemical vapor deposition synthesis using ferrocene as a catalyst source. Polystyrene loaded with certain quantity of MWCNTs was uniaxially stretched to provide the nanotube alignment. Magnetic susceptibility measurements performed in three perpendicular directions of magnetic field confirmed the alignment in the stretching direction. The composites showed a large diamagnetic response in a magnetic field perpendicular to the nanotube axis and low response in a parallel field. In a quantitative sense, anisotropy exceeds by more than an order of magnitude the effect expected from intrinsic susceptibility of nanotubes. Apparently, the graphitic nature of the nanotube lattice results in strong non-covalent interactions with uniaxially stretched polymer matrix, and aromatic rings as side groups of polystyrene align parallel to the nanotube surface, contributing to strong diamagnetism. As magnetic susceptibility is a penetrative but non-destructive type of measurement, it can successfully characterize both the alignment of onedimensional or two-dimensional carbon allotropies and the arrangement of the macromolecules around them, contributing to the optimal design and performance of nanocomposites.

We present an original, easy to implement, reliable method of non-destructive testing of the orientation of carbon nanotubes by magnetic moment measurements performed in three perpendicular directions of magnetic field. Multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polystyrene composites were prepared by stretching and forge-rolling methods with the same nanotube loading. Unusually strong diamagnetic anisotropy in the composites prepared by the stretching method was observed and attributed to an additional diamagnetic response from the polystyrene aromatic rings wrapping the nanotubes. Strong anisotropy of diamagnetic susceptibility of the composites with highly aligned nanotubes correlates with anisotropic electromagnetic response and with improved microwave absorption properties. Both magnetic anisotropy and microwave absorbance is considerably lower in the composites prepared by the forge-rolled method. The magnetic results correlate well with polarized Raman spectroscopy. The research findings contribute to a better understanding of nanotubepolymer interface, alignment mechanisms, and ultimately the optimal design and performance of functional nanotube-aromatic polymer nanocomposites.

Tabby is a pattern of short irregular stripes, usually related to domestic cats. We have produced Tabby patterns on graphene by attaching fluorine atoms running as monoatomic chains in crystallographic directions. Separated by non-fluorinated sp 2 carbon ribbons, sp 3-hybridized carbon atoms bonded to zigzag fluorine chains produce sp 2-sp 3 interfaces and spin-polarized edge states localized on both sides of the chains. We have compared two kinds of fluorinated graphite samples C2Fx, with x near to 1 and x substantially below 1. The magnetic susceptibility of C2Fx (x < 1) shows a broad maximum and a thermally activated spin gap behaviour that can be understood in a two-leg spin ladder model with ferromagnetic legs and antiferromagnetic rungs; the spin gap constitutes about 450 K. Besides, stable room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed in C2Fx (x < 1) samples: the crossover to a three-dimensional magnetic behaviour is due to the onset of interlayer interactions. Similarly prepared C2Fx (x ≈ 1) samples demonstrate features of two-dimensional magnetism without signs of high-temperature magnetic ordering, but with transition to a superparamagnetic state below 40 K instead. The magnetism of the Tabby graphene is stable until 520 K, which is the temperature of the structural reconstruction of fluorinated graphite.

Polystyrene / iron-filled multi-wall carbon nanotube composite films were prepared by solution processing, forge-rolling and stretching methods. Elongated iron carbide nanoparticles formed because of catalytic growth are situated inside the hollow cavity of the nanotubes. Magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as records of isothermal hysteresis loops performed in three perpendicular directions of magnetic field confirmed that the nanotubes have a preferential alignment in the matrix. Strong diamagnetic anisotropy in the composites emerges not only from the MWCNTs but also from the polystyrene matrix. The polymer sticks to the honeycomb lattice through the interaction of the S-orbitals of the phenyl ring and those of the carbon nanotube, contributing to anisotropic diamagnetic response. The contribution of iron nanoparticles to overall magnetic response strongly depends on nanotube concentration in the composite as well as on matrix-filler non-covalent stacking, which influences magnetic interparticle interactions.