Strong In-plane Magnetic Anisotropy in Semiconducting Monolayer CoCl.

Transition-metal dihalides (TMDH) are emerging as a highly promising class of 2D magnetic materials due to their simplicity, stability, and compatibility with nanofabrication techniques. In this work, we explore the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of monolayer CoCl grown epitaxially on Au(111) using a multitechnique approach. Our results reveal that epitaxial CoCl exhibits ferromagnetic order below 24 K with strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy, setting it apart from other TMDH materials. Additionally, we identify in-gap states arising from the CoCl-Au(111) interface, which provide insights into its electronic behavior. These findings position CoCl as a versatile 2D material for spintronic applications and nanoscale devices, bridging the gap between fundamental research and real-world technological solutions.