Quantum Transport in Graphene Nanoribbon Networks

Focusing on systems that can be realized experimentally, both in-plane conductance of inter-connected graphene nanoribbons and tunneling conductance in out-of-plane nanoribbon intersections are investigated. The quantum transport properties of such networks are computed using first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory formalism. The electronic transport through in-plane nanoribbon cross-points is found to be significantly affected by scattering at the intersections with the exception of all zigzag nanoribbon terminals arranged at a 60 degree angle. This result demonstrates the possibility of designing graphene nanoribbon networks capable of guiding electron along desired and predetermined paths. In addition, the electron transport properties of out-of-plane nanoribbons cross-points with realistic size are described within a simple tight-binding approach. The stacking angle is predicted to play a key role on the electronic transmission through nanoribbon networks.