Conduction Properties of Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembled Multilayer Nanoparticulate Structures

Nanoparticles based multilayer fabricated using layer-by-layer (LbL) self assembly process mediated through polyelectrolytes is reported as an interesting alternative for the fabrication of electronic devices. The effect of deposition cycle on the current-voltage characteristics of thin multilayer devices composed of alternating layers of chitosan-capped zinc sulphide nanoparticles (0 = 35 nm) and gold nanoparticles (0 = 20 nm), deposited onto a conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate is reported. The current voltage (I-V) characteristics of multilayer devices with an increasing number of layers show an initial current blockade until an onset voltage value, which increases linearly upon the addition of the number of the layers stacked in the device. A conductive behavior of the device could be observed after exceeding the onset voltage. The conduction onset voltage is enhanced from similar to 0.14 V to similar to 5.6 V by increasing deposition cycles, from n = 5 to 100. Symmetric current-voltage characteristics can be observed both under forward and reverse bias conditions.