Surface Functionalization for Magnetic Property Tuning of Nonmagnetic 2D Materials

Abstract Surface functionalization with organic molecules has proven effective to modulate the electronic properties of 2D materials. More recently, surface functionalization has been shown to induce magnetic behaviors in nonmagnetic 2D materials. If magnetism can be imparted to 2D materials via surface functionalization by molecules with tailored magnetic properties, it would make available the whole spectrum of 2D materials as magnetic systems, which are currently limited to a small subset of 2D materials that are intrinsically magnetic. This perspective will present experimental results and theoretical predictions of surface functionalization of 2D materials to induce magnetism. Key experimental studies on graphene, layered topological insulators, and transition metal dichalcogenides functionalized with single‐molecule magnets, adatoms, and nonmagnetic molecules will be discussed to advocate for utilizing surface functionalization to induce magnetism in 2D materials. The modulation of magnetic properties of 2D materials via surface functionalization is still in its infancy, presenting exciting opportunities for new ideas and discoveries. The perspective will conclude with the future outlook and challenges for this topic.