Effect of edge defects on band structure of zigzag graphene nanoribbons

Abstract

In this article, we report band structure studies of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) on introducing defects (sp3 hybridized carbon atoms) in different concentrations at edges by varying the ratio of sp3 to sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. On the basis of theoretical analyses, bandgap values of ZGNRs are found to be strongly dependent on the relative arrangement of sp3 to sp2 hybridized carbon atoms at the edges for a defect concentration; so the findings would greatly help in understanding the bandgap of nanoribbons for their electronic applications.