Ferrimagnetism in ionic liquid cation intercalated $$\hbox {NiPS}_3$$

The electrochemical intercalation is one of most powerful tools for tuning the intrinsic properties of quasi-two-dimensional (2D) materials. In this work, ionic organic cations, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are successfully intercalated into [Formula: see text] interlayer via electrochemical intercalation. The both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] intercalated [Formula: see text] samples show ferrimagnetic transition with the transition temperature of 65 K and 85 K, respectively. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Hall measurements reveal that the electron doping and sulfur vacancies created by the cation intercalation play important role in the ferrimagnetic transition. Our work provides a new pathway to manipulation of magnetism in layered 2D materials.