Journal article
From silver nanoparticles to thin films: Evolution of microstructure and electrical conduction on glass substrates
The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids, Vol.70(2), pp.459-465
02/01/2009
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles embedded in a dielectric matrix are investigated for their potential as broadband-absorbing optical sensor materials. This contribution focuses on the electrical properties of silver nanoparticles on glass substrates at various morphological stages. The electrical current through thin films, consisting of silver nanoparticles, was characterized as a function of film thickness. Three distinct conductivity zones were observed. Two relatively flat zones ("dielectric" for very thin films and "metallic" for films thicker than 300-400 angstrom) are separated by a sharp transition zone where percolation dominates. The dielectric zone is characterized by isolated particle islands with the electrical conduction dominated by a thermally activated tunneling process. The transition zone is dominated by interconnected silver nanoclusters-a small increase of the film thickness results in a large increase of the electrical conductivity. The metallic conductivity zone dominates for thicknesses above 300-400 angstrom. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Details
- Title
- From silver nanoparticles to thin films: Evolution of microstructure and electrical conduction on glass substrates
- Creators
- Haoyan Wei - Washington State UniversityHergen Eilers - Washington State University Spokane
- Publication Details
- The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids, Vol.70(2), pp.459-465
- Academic Unit
- Institute for Shock Physics
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- N00014-03-1-0247 / ONR; Office of Naval Research W911NF-06-1-0295 / ARO
- Identifiers
- 99900876939101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article