A Derivative of the Blatter Radical as a Potential Metal-Free Magnet for Stable Thin Films and Interfaces

Organic radicals are fascinating materials because of their unique properties, which make them suitable for a variety of applications. Their synthesis may be challenging, and big efforts have focused on chemical stability. However, introducing a new material in electronics not only requires chemically stable molecules but also stable monolayers and thin films in view of their use in devices. In this work, we have investigated the thin films of a derivative of the Blatter radical that was synthesized bearing in mind the thermodynamic factors that govern thin film stability. We have proved our concept by investigating the electronic structure, the paramagnetic character, and stability of the obtained films under UHV and ambient conditions by in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ex situ atomic force microscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.