Spin-selective response tunability in two-dimensional nanomagnets.

Recent reports on the two-dimensional (2D) material CrOCl revealed magnetic ordering and spin polarisation with Curie Temperature Tc approximately 160 K, values higher than most diluted magnetic semiconductors. Here, we investigate the uniaxial and biaxial strain-dependent electronic and transport properties of CrOCl nanoribbon using first-principle based calculations. The calculated Young's modulus indicates high mechanical flexibility for the application of high strain. Our study shows that strain can induce material phase changes from a bipolar magnetic semiconductor --> half metal --> magnetic metal in the nanoribbon, leading to interesting spin-resolved conductance with 100% spin filtering. Furthermore, the current-voltage (I-V) response showed conductance fluctuations, characterised by peak-valley ratios and switching efficiency show high strain assisted tunability. Overall, CrOCl shows a highly anisotropic behaviour with the material displaying 100% spin polarisation in the tensile region. These electronic, transport and mechanical properties indicate that CrOCl is a versatile 2D material with multi-phase capabilities having promising applications for future nanospintronic devices.