Effects of line defects on spin-dependent electronic transport of zigzag MoS2 nanoribbons

The nonlinear spin-dependent transport properties in zigzag molybdenum-disulfide nanoribbons (ZMNRs) with line defects are investigated systematically using nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with density functional theory. The results show that the line defects can enhance the electronic transfer ability of ZMNRs. The types and locations of the line defects are found critical in determining the spin polarization and the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the line defected ZMNRs. For the same defect type, the total currents of the ribbons with the line defects in the centers are lager than those on the edges. And for the same location, the total currents of the systems with the sulfur (S) line defect are larger than the according systems with the molybdenum (Mo) line defect. All the considered systems present magnetism properties. And in the S line defected systems, the spin reversal behaviors can be observed. In both the spin-up and spin-down states of the Mo line defected systems, there are obvious negative differential resistance behaviors. The mechanisms are proposed for these phenomena. (C) 2016 Author(s).