Impact of Size Effect on Graphene Nanoribbon Transport

TL;DR

This paper provides experimental evidence that in graphene nanoribbons narrower than 60 nm, carrier mobility is limited by edge-scattering, highlighting the size effect's impact on nanoelectronic device performance.

Contribution

First experimental demonstration of size-effect onset in patterned GNRs, showing edge-scattering limits mobility below 60 nm width.

Findings

Carrier mobility decreases for GNRs narrower than 60 nm

Edge-scattering is the dominant transport limitation in narrow GNRs

Size effect significantly impacts GNR-based nanoelectronics

Abstract

Graphene has shown impressive properties for nanoelectronics applications including a high mobility and a width-dependent bandgap. Use of graphene in nanoelectronics would most likey be in the form of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) where the ribbon width is expected to be less than 20 nm. Many theoretical projections have been made on the impact of edge-scattering on carrier transport in GNRs - most studies point to a degradation of mobility (of GNRs) as well as the on/off ratio (of GNR FETs). This study provides the first clear experimental evidence of the onset of size-effect in patterned GNRs; it is shown that for W<60 nm, carrier mobility in GNRs is limited by edge-scattering.