Electron transport properties of Y-type zigzag branched carbon nanotubes

The electron transport properties of Y-type zigzag branched carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great significance for micro and nano carbon-based electronic devices and their interconnection. Based on the semi-empirical method combining tight-binding density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green’s function, the electron transport properties between the branches of Y-type zigzag branched CNT are studied. The results show that the drain-source current of semiconducting Y-type zigzag branched CNT (8, 0)-(4, 0)-(4, 0) is cut-off and not affected by the gate voltage in a bias voltage range [-0.5 V, 0.5 V]. The current presents a nonlinear change in a bias voltage range [-1.5 V, -0.5 V] and [0.5 V, 1.5 V]. The tangent slope of the current-voltage curve can be changed by the gate voltage to realize the regulation of the current. The regulation effect under negative bias voltage is more significant. For the larger diameter semiconducting Y-type zigzag branched CNT (10, 0)-(5, 0)-(5, 0), only the value of drain-source current increases due to the larger diameter. For metallic Y-type zigzag branched CNT (12, 0)- (6, 0)-(6, 0), the drain-source current presents a linear change in a bias voltage range [-1.5 V, 1.5 V] and is symmetrical about (0, 0). The slope of current-voltage line can be changed by the gate voltage to realize the regulation of the current. For three kinds of Y-type zigzag branched CNT with different diameters and different conductivity, the current-voltage curve trend changes from decline to rise when the branch of drain-source is exchanged. The current regulation effect of semiconducting Y-type zigzag branched CNT under negative bias voltage is also more significant.