Organic Ferromagnetism: Trapping Spins in the Glassy State of an Organic Network Structure

The unique organic ??-conjugated network structure was synthesized in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid at 155??C by self-polymerization of the tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) monomer in an efficient way. Highly stable free radicals achieved through the self-polymerization of TCNQ, these radicals originate from the 90?? rotation of cyclohexadiene rings into phenyl rings and 120?? ferromagnetic order around the triazine rings. The presence of unpaired electrons (radicals) in p-TCNQ was established by solid-state electron spin resonance spectroscopy, and the long-range magnetic ordering through the network was characterized by a Quantum Design SQUID-VSM. Designing and manipulating the spins in polymer networks via organic methodologies will provide alternative approaches for versatile future applications of plastic magnets