Conductance of graphene nanoribbons under mechanical deformation

Graphene is a material system of increasing technological importance with excellent mechanical and electrical properties. Depending on the edge configuration, graphene may be electrically conducting, semiconducting, or insulating, so deformation is believed to have strong effects on electrical properties. In this letter, ab initio approach is used to demonstrate the effect of torsional and strain induced deformation on the electrical conductance characteristics. These nanostructures are described using a single-band tight-binding Hamiltonian. Important observations on the connection between mechanical and electrical behavior are made based on the transport calculations. In particular, the conductance behavior shows interesting features on deformed graphene.

► Effect of mechanical deformation on electrical conductance of graphene is investigated.
► Transport properties of graphene can be modified with applied axial strain and torsion.
► The current under a fixed bias change several times with applied axial strain and torsion.