Trends in charge transfer and spin alignment of metallocene on graphene

By using the first-principles calculations, geometric, electronic, and magnetic properties of metallocene deposited on graphene are systematically investigated. Among all the metallocenes studied, only cobaltocene exhibits obvious charge transfer. Relatively delocalized e₁ orbitals of cobaltocene are responsible for n-type doping of graphene or nanoribbons, as well as for the spin-polarized current along the cobaltocene chains. We also propose that, based on our total energy calculations, cobaltocene may be used as a sensor to detect pentagonal defects in graphene by taking advantage of the rotation of cobaltocene's axis when located above pentagonal defects.