The spin-dependent transport properties of zigzag α-graphyne nanoribbons and new device design

By performing first-principle quantum transport calculations, we studied the electronic and transport properties of zigzag α-graphyne nanoribbons in different magnetic configurations. We designed the device based on zigzag α-graphyne nanoribbon and studied the spin-dependent transport properties, whose current-voltage curves show obvious spin-polarization and conductance plateaus. The interesting transport behaviours can be explained by the transport spectra under different magnetic configurations, which basically depends on the symmetry matching of the electrodes’ bandstructures. Simultaneously, spin Seebeck effect is also found in the device. Thus, according to the transport behaviours, zigzag α-graphyne nanoribbons can be used as a dual spin filter diode, a molecule signal converter and a spin caloritronics device, which indicates that α-graphyne is a promising candidate for the future application in spintronics.