The discovery of conductive and magnetic two-dimensional (2D) materials is critical for the development of next generation spintronics devices. Coordination chemistry in particular represents a highly versatile, though underutilized, route toward the synthesis of such materials with designer lattices. Here, we report the synthesis of a conductive, layered 2D metal–organic kagome lattice, Mn 3(C 6S 6), using mild solution-phase chemistry. Strong geometric spin frustration in this system mediates spin freezing at low temperatures, which results in glassy magnetic dynamics consistent with a rare geometrically frustrated (topological) spin glass. Notably, we show that this geometric frustration engenders a large, tunable exchange bias of 1625 Oe in Mn 3(C 6S 6), providing the first example of exchange bias in a coordination solid or a topological spin glass. Exchange bias is a critical component in a number of spintronics applications, but it is difficult to rationally tune, as it typically arises due to structural disorder. This work outlines a new strategy for engineering exchange bias systems using single-phase, crystalline lattices. More generally, these results demonstrate the potential utility of geometric frustration in the design of new nanoscale spintronic materials.
Classic exchange bias relies on a disordered interface between a ferromagnet and antiferromagnet, impeding the design of next generation systems. We show that magnetic disorder due to geometric frustration engenders a large, tunable exchange bias in the metal−organic kagome lattice, Mn 3(C 6S 6). As Mn 3(C 6S 6) is a topological spin glass, the exchange bias may be a tuning handle for exotic nonequilibrium states. This work designates designer metal−organic lattices as a platform for novel emergent physical phenomena.