Electron transport in two-dimensional arrays of gold nanocrystals investigated by scanning electrochemical microscopy.
This article reports the use of the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) to investigate the electronic properties of Langmuir monolayers of alkane thiol protected gold nanocrystals (NCs). A substantial increase in monolayer conductivity upon mechanical compression of the Au NC monolayer is reported for the first time. This may be the room temperature signature of the insulator to metal transition previously reported for comparable silver NC monolayers. Factors influencing the conductivity of the monolayer NC array are discussed.
Liljeroth
Peter
P
Condensed Matter and Interfaces, Debye Institute, University of Utrecht, P.O. Box 80000, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Vanmaekelbergh
Daniël
D
Ruiz
Virginia
V
Kontturi
Kyösti
K
Jiang
Hua
H
Kauppinen
Esko
E
Quinn
Bernadette M
BM