Negative differential resistance and magnetoresistance in zigzag borophene nanoribbons

TL;DR

This study uses first-principles calculations to explore the transport properties of zigzag borophene nanoribbons, revealing differences based on width, negative differential resistance, spin filtering, and magnetoresistance effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates the distinct quantum transport behaviors of even and odd-width ZBNRs, including NDR and magnetoresistance phenomena, which were not previously characterized.

Findings

Odd and even-width ZBNRs have different I-V characteristics.

Negative differential resistance observed in 5-ZBNR.

Magnetoresistance can reach up to 70% in even-N ZBNRs.

Abstract

We investigate the transport properties of pristine zigzag-edged borophene nanoribbons (ZBNRs) of different widths, using the fist-principles calculations. We choose ZBNRs with widths of 5 and 6 as odd and even widths. The differences of the quantum transport properties are found, where even-N BNRs and odd-N BNRs have different current-voltage relationships. Moreover, the negative differential resistance (NDR) can be observed within certain bias range in 5-ZBNR, while 6-ZBNR behaves as metal whose current rises with the increase of the voltage. The spin filter effect of 36% can be revealed when the two electrodes have opposite magnetization direction. Furthermore, the magnetoresistance effect appears to be in even-N ZBNRs, and the maximum value can reach 70%.