  The effects of edge chemistry on the relative stability and electronic
properties of zigzag boron nitride nanoribbons (ZBNNRs) are investigated. Among
all functional groups considered, fully hydroxylated ZBNNRs are found to be the
most energetically stable. When an in-plane external electric field is applied
perpendicular to the axis of both hydrogenated and hydroxylated ZBNNRs, a
spin-polarized half-metallic state is induced, whose character is different
than that predicted for ZGNRs. The onset field for achieving the half-metallic
state is found to mainly depend on the width of the ribbon. Our results
indicate that edge functionalization of ZBNNRs may open the way for the design
of new nano-electronic and nano-spintronic devices.
