Enhanced magnetic transition temperature through ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interaction in cobalt-substituted Fe5GeTe2

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetism is an incredibly intriguing phenomenon in condensed matter physics. The exploration of 2D magnets holds great promise for various applications, even though they often exhibit low magnetic transition temperature. Among these materials, Fe5GeTe2 has emerged as a compelling candidate for room-temperature spintronics due to its intrinsic ferromagnetism and high Curie temperature. In this study, we investigate the impact of Co substitution at the Fe sites in Fe5GeTe2, which induces a transition of the magnetic ground state to the antiferromagnetic state when the substitution level exceeds 0.36. Additionally, we observe the coexistence of ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic states in the magnetic transition region of (Fe1−xCox)5GeTe2 crystals. Notably, the interaction between the two magnetic phases results in Néel temperature (TN) up to 374 K, establishing a record among known van der Waals antiferromagnets. Our findings present a strategy for enhancing the magnetic temperature of 2D magnets, paving the way for potential advancements in spintronics applications.