Twisted graphene nanoribbons as nonlinear nanoelectronic devices

Abstract

We argue that twisted graphene nanoribbons subjected to a transverse electric field can operate as a variety of nonlinear nanoelectronic devices with tunable current-voltage characteristics controlled by the transverse field. Using the density-functional tight-binding method to address the effects of mechanical strain induced by the twisting, we show that the electronic transport properties remain almost unaffected by the strain in relevant cases and propose an efficient simplified tight-binding model which gives reliable results. The transverse electric field creates a periodic electrostatic potential along the nanoribbon, resulting in a formation of a superlattice-like energy band structure and giving rise to different remarkable electronic properties. We demonstrate that if the nanoribbon geometry and operating point are selected appropriately, the system can function as a field-effect transistor or a device with nonlinear current-voltage characteristic manifesting one or several regions of negative differential resistance. The latter opens possibilities for applications such as an active element of amplifiers, generators, and new class of nanoscale devices with multiple logic states.

Designing of Nanomaterials-Based Enzymatic Biosensors: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

“…As a result, the nanoelectronic science emerged, which aims to develop electronic components in the nano-order of magnitude. The evolution of nanoelectronics was propelled by the need to improve a wide array of electronic components [117][118][119]. In addition, in the wearable electronics industry, the enormous current demands have been generating flexible and extensible devices that can be easily integrated into the skin or to soft and curvy human clothing [115][116][117][118][119][120].…”

“…The evolution of nanoelectronics was propelled by the need to improve a wide array of electronic components [117][118][119]. In addition, in the wearable electronics industry, the enormous current demands have been generating flexible and extensible devices that can be easily integrated into the skin or to soft and curvy human clothing [115][116][117][118][119][120]. Currently, nanomaterials have been enabling these properties in clothing that are marketed to the general public.…”

Width Dependent Elastic Properties of Graphene Nanoribbons

“…For example, due to quantum confinement, narrow graphene nanoribbons present a semiconducting electronic structure with increasing energy band gap as the nanoribbon width decreases [ 60 , 61 , 68 ]. As a result, structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of GNRs and their applications in devices have been extensively considered [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ].…”

Twisted helical armchair graphene nanoribbons: mechanical and electronic properties

“…Note that helical conformations can either be self-assembled or be fabricated by several growth and fabrication techniques that have been successfully used to produce different chiral systems [17][18][19]. Recently, a range of synthesis methods has been developed to obtain twisted GNRs [20][21][22][23], which opens up a new possible route to potential applications of chiral systems including THz generation [24][25][26][27], stretchable electronics [28,29], nonlinear electronics [30][31][32], and spin selectivity [33][34][35][36][37].…”