Magnetic properties of graphene with randomly distributed magnetic defects/localized spin moments are studied in terms of the Kondo Hamiltonian in a mean-field approximation. The developed theoretical model illustrates that antiferromagnetic phases and weak but finite magnetization can coexist in graphene through nucleation of multiple ferrimagnetic domains for temperatures below the critical point. Each domain exhibits a small, partially compensated magnetization associated with the imbalance in different sublattices. But together, they additively contribute to the net magnetic moment in a magnetic field. Calculations clearly demonstrate qualitative agreement with available experimental data.

• Received 7 May 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.84.165435