Polarization-Driven Edge-State Transport in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides

Intrinsic polarization has been demonstrated in layered structures to reduce the energy gap. Here we demonstrate that strain-induced polarization can increase the energy gap and induce a metallic-to-semiconducting phase transition in zigzag nanoribbons of single-layered transition-metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2. This study provides guidance for designing quantum piezotronic devices.