Effect of Co and Mn Doping on the Electronic and Magnetic Properties of XC₂ (X = Hf, Zr) MXene Monolayers: A First-Principles Study

MXenes, particularly Hf2C and Zr2C monolayers, exhibit exceptional electronic and magnetic properties, making them promising candidates for advanced applications. In this study, the effects of Co and Mn doping on Hf2C and Zr2C are investigated using first-principles calculations. The revPBE exchange-correlation functional is identified as yielding the lowest energy configurations. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the structural stability of the doped systems, with no signs of phase transitions or instabilities. Doping significantly alters the electronic band structures and magnetic properties. Co doped Hf2C displays a bandgap, making it suitable for infrared detectors and low-temperature sensor applications, while Mn doping lead to a significant enhancement of the net magnetic moments relative to the pure monolayers. Applying an external electric field results in significant changes in the magnetic moment, particularly in Co doped Hf2C and Zr2C monolayers, highlighting their strong sensitivity to electric-field-induced perturbations and suggesting potential utility in orbitronic applications. These findings highlight the versatility of doped MXene monolayers, paving the way for their use in spintronic devices, detectors, and sensors.