Synthèse et mise en forme de matériaux moléculaires multiferroïques / Synthesis and processing of molecule-based multiferroics – ferromol

Considering the growing interest for magnetic systems as potential information storage devices, our project focuses on the design, synthesis, characterisation and processing of molecular multiferroics. Multiferroics are multifunctional materials that combine long range ordering of the magnetic dipoles (ferro- or ferri-magnetism - FM) and long range ordering of the electric dipoles (ferro- or ferri-electricity - FE) and/or ferroelasticity. The synergy between these properties opens perspectives both in fundamental research and for the development of new devices. The challenge is to couple FM with FE at the molecular level. It will thus be possible to control the electrical polarisation by applying a magnetic field or to control the magnetisation by applying an electric field. Molecular approach of multifunctional materials will be used to synthesise molecule-based multiferroics. The development of FM and FE in the materials as well as the interaction between both properties will rely on the design and synthesis and supramolecular self-assembly of new building blocks designed to favour exchange interaction between spin bearers and electric dipoles orientation. Because material processing is an essential step towards applications, a processing method based on the deposition of molecular materials into nanopatterned aluminium thin films deposited on conducting and/or transparent substrates will be developed. This global approach of the synthesis and the processing of molecular multiferroics appears as an efficient method in order to bring a significant contribution to this merging field of molecular materials.