The spin-dependent transport properties of defected zigzag graphene nanoribbons with graphene nanobubbles

Abstract

Zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) have important applications in spintronics and spin caloritronics. While in the preparation of a ZGNR, defects like the graphene nanobubbles often appear, which may affect the physical properties of the ZGNR. In this paper, we studied the transport properties of a defected ZGNR with a graphene nanobubble by performing first-principles quantum transport calculations. The results show that when the nanobubble is intact and locates at the centre, the spin polarization and magnetoresistance tend to drop off in the low bias voltage cases, compared to the ideal ZGNR. While when the nanobubble is split and locates at the edge, all the transport properties are significantly affected and altered, such as the spin polarization, the giant magnetoresistance effect and the spin Seebeck effect. Meanwhile, some new results are obtained from the device, including the negative differential resistance effect and the pure thermal-induced spin-current.