Strain-induced semiconducting-metallic transition for ZnO zigzag nanoribbons

Using first-principles calculations, we investigate structures and electronic properties of ZnO nanoribbons with different widths. By loaded strain along the periodic axis the ZnO zigzag nanoribbons are transformed into new ground state featuring square lattice. We find that this new ground state is semiconducting, which is completely different from the initial zigzag nanoribbons having metallic behavior. Such a metallic-semiconducting phase transition might allow ZnO nanoribbons to have potential applications in nanoswitch. (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3374684]