Electronic transport in metal nanocrystal arrays: The effect of structural disorder on scaling behavior

We investigate the impact of structural, disorder on electronic transport in gold nanocrystal monolayers. Arrays ranging from void-filled networks to well-ordered superlattices show clear voltage thresholds (VT) due to Coulomb blockade, and temperature-independent conduction indicative of quantum tunneling. Current-voltage, characteristics of arrays with and without long-range structural order were found to collapse onto distinct scaling curves. The former follow a single power law: I similar to (V - V-T)(zeta), zeta = 2.25 +/- 0.1. The latter show additional structure, reflecting the underlying disordered topology.