Electric gating induced bandgaps and enhanced Seebeck effect in zigzag bilayer graphene ribbons

We theoretically investigate the effect of a transverse electric field generated by side gates and a vertical electric field generated by top/back gates on energy bands and transport properties of zigzag bilayer graphene ribbons (Bernal stacking). Using atomistic tight binding calculations and Green's function formalism we demonstrate that a bandgap is opened when either field is applied and even enlarged under simultaneous influence of the two fields. Interestingly, although vertical electric fields are widely used to control the bandgap in bilayer graphene, here we show that transverse fields exhibit a more positive effect in terms of modulating a larger range of bandgap and retaining good electrical conductance. The Seebeck effect is also demonstrated to be enhanced strongly—by about 13 times for a zigzag bilayer graphene ribbon with 16 chain lines. These results may motivate new designs of devices made of bilayer graphene ribbons using electric gates.