Stable path to ferromagnetic hydrogenated graphene growth

In this paper, we propose a practical way to stabilize half-hydrogenated graphene (graphone). We show that the dipole moments induced by a hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN) substrate on graphene stabilize the hydrogen atoms on one sublattice of the graphene layer and suppress the migration of the adsorbed hydrogen atoms. Based upon first principle spin polarized density of states calculations, we show that the graphone obtained in different graphene/h-BN heterostructures exhibits a half metallic state. We propose to use this exotic material for spin valve systems and other spintronics devices. © 2014 American Physical Society.