CoTPP molecules deposited on graphene/Ni (111): Quenching of the antiferromagnetic interaction induced by gold intercalation

In this work, we investigated the effect of Au-intercalation on the magnetic coupling between a sub-monolayer of Co-Tetraphenylporphyrin molecules and a graphene-covered Ni(111) single crystal. Using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, the element-specific magnetization and its field dependence were probed. Cobalt strongly couples antiferromagnetically to the nickel substrate, also through the graphene layer. The intercalation of graphene with gold leads to a complete removal of this coupling.