Size-dependent electronic, mechanical and optical properties of noble metal nanoribbons

Abstract

We present size-dependent electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of pristine, alloyed, and hetero noble-metal nanoribbons using Density Functional Theory calculations. These nanoribbons possess higher cohesive energies as compared to their two dimensional monolayer counterparts, suggesting their higher energetic stability for experimental realization. The pristine nanoribbons are found to be metallic similar to their monolayer counterparts with variation in quantum ballistic conductance with change in the width of nanoribbon. A transition from semiconducting behavior to metallic behavior occurs with the size of alloyed and hetero nanoribbon. The ultimate tensile strength of small width nanoribbons is higher than larger width ribbons. Amongst the studied nanoribbons, Au nanoribbons have highest tensile strength and Ag nanoribbons have lowest tensile strength. Plasmon frequencies and reflectance edge lie in the visible region and they get blue shifted with increase in the width of nanoribbons. Our study suggests the studied nanoribbons to be potential candidates for future flexible optoelectronic applications.