Atomically Precise PdSe₂ Pentagonal Nanoribbons

Abstract

We report atomically precise pentagonal PdSe₂ nanoribbons (PNRs) fabricated on a pristine PdSe₂ substrate with a hybrid method of top-down and bottom-up processes. The PNRs form a uniform array of dimer structure with a width of 2.4 nm and length of more than 200 nm. <i>In situ</i> four-probe scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals metallic behavior of PNRs with ballistic transport for at least 20 nm in length. Density functional theory calculations produce a semiconducting density of states of isolated PNRs and find that the band gap narrows and disappears quickly once considering coupling between PNR stacking layers or interaction with the PdSe₂ substrate. The coupling of PNRs is further corroborated by Raman spectroscopy and field-effect transistor measurements. The facile method of fabricating atomically precise PNRs offers an air-stable functional material for dimensional control.