Stable ferromagnetism and doping-induced half-metallicity in asymmetric graphene nanoribbons

We propose a class of graphene nanoribbons showing strong intrinsic ferromagnetic behavior due to their asymmetry. Such ribbons are based on a zigzag-edged backbone surmounted by a periodic, triangular notched region of variable size. The electronic properties as a function of the topology are investigated. Interestingly, substitutional doping by boron or nitrogen induces half-metallicity. The most effective doping sites can be inferred from the band structure. Given the present rapid development of bottom-up strategies for the synthesis of atomically precise carbon nanostructures the proposed class of nanoribbons emerges as a real candidate for spintronic applications at ambient temperature.