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The so-called zigzag edge of graphenes theoretically has localized electrons due to the presence of flat energy bands near the Fermi level. The localized electron spins are strongly polarized, resulting in ferromagnetism. We fabricate graphenes with honeycomb-like arrays of hydrogen-terminated and low-defect hexagonal nanopores by a nonlithographic method using nanoporous alumina templates. We report large-magnitude room-temperature ferromagnetism caused by electron spins localizing at the zigzag nanopore edges. This promises to be a realization of rare-element free, controllable, transparent, flexible, and mono-atomic layer magnets and novel spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretically, the so-called zigzag edge of graphenes provides localized electrons due to the presence of flat energy bands near the Fermi level. Spin interaction makes the localized spins strongly polarized, yielding ferromagnetism. However, in most experimental studies, ferromagnetism has been observed in uncontrollable and complicated carbon-based systems. Here, we fabricate graphenes with honeycomblike arrays of hexagonal nanopores, which have a large ensemble of hydrogen-terminated and low-defect pore edges that are prepared by a nonlithographic method (nanoporous alumina templates). We observe large-magnitude ferromagnetism derived from electron spins localizing at the zigzag nanopore edges. This promises to be a realization of graphene magnets and novel spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]