Optimized graphene electrodes for contacting graphene nanoribbons

Atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are a promising emerging class of designer quantum materials with electronic properties that are tunable by chemical design. However, many challenges remain in the device integration of these materials, especially regarding contacting strategies. We report on the device integration of uniaxially aligned and non-aligned 9-atom wide armchair graphene nano ribbons (9-AGNRs) in a field-effect transistor geometry using electron beam lithography-defined graphene electrodes. This approach yields controlled electrode geometries and enables higher fabrication throughput compared to previous approaches using an electrical breakdown technique. Thermal annealing is found to be a crucial step for successful device operation resulting in electronic transport characteristics showing a strong gate dependence. Raman spectroscopy confirms the integrity of the graphene electrodes after patterning and of the GNRs after device integration. Our results demonstrate the importance of the GNR-graphene electrode interface and pave the way for GNR device integration with structurally well-defined electrodes. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This study reports a method for integrating atomically precise graphene nanoribbons in a field-effect transistor geometry using graphene electrodes defined by electron beam lithography, which allows for controlled electrode geometries. Thermal annealing is found to be a crucial step for successful device operation, ensuring stable electronic transport characteristics.