Low-energy band structures of armchair ribbon-graphene hybrid systems

The electronic properties of armchair ribbon-graphene hybrid systems are studied within the 2pz tight-binding model. The geometric structures of graphene nanoribbons, such as the width (Ny) and the period (Ry) of the ribbons, greatly determine the band structures. Furthermore, the stacking arrangement between graphene nanoribbons and monolayer graphene also plays an important role in low-energy states. Energy gaps caused by AA- and AB-stacking are dependent on Nys and Rys differently. These geometric structure effects can be well identified by the density of states.

Research highlights► The electronic properties are calculated by the tight-binding model. ► An energy gap is induced in the monolayer graphene by the periodically aligned graphene nanoribbons. ► The stacking arrangement between them also plays an important role in low-energy states.