Modulating the bandgaps of graphdiyne nanoribbons by transverse electric fields

The effect of external transverse electric fields on the bandgaps of graphdiyne nanoribbons is investigated from first-principles calculations. The giant Stark effect is observed in the ribbons. When the field is applied, the valence and conduction band edge states are found to be strongly localized at low and high potential edges of the ribbon, respectively. Due to the wavefunction localization, the bandgap decreases with increasing field strength, and a semiconductor–metal transition occurs below a threshold field value. It is also shown that the bandgap decreasing rate depends linearly on the ribbon width. The tunable bandgap of a graphdiyne nanoribbon under an electric field would be helpful for practical applications.