Graphene Nanoribbons Under Axial Compressive and Point Tensile Stresses

TL;DR

This study investigates how axial compressive and point tensile stresses affect the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of graphene nanoribbons, revealing significant changes and potential applications in magnetic nano-switches.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the effects of specific mechanical stresses on graphene nanoribbons using density functional theory, highlighting tunable magnetic properties.

Findings

Structural changes include nanoripple formation under stress.

Electronic and magnetic properties depend on nanoribbon size and shape.

Strain can be used to design magnetic nano-switches.

Abstract

The geometric, electronic and magnetic properties of strained graphene nanoribbons were investigated using spin polarized calculations within the framework of density functional theory. Cases of compressive stress along the longer axis of a nanoribbon and tensile stress at the midpoint and perpendicular to the plane of the nanoribbon were considered. Significant structural changes were observed including the formation of nanoripples. The calculated electronic and magnetic properties strongly depend on the size and shape of nanoribbons. The tunable magnetic properties of strained nanoribbons can be employed for designing magnetic nano-switches.