Switching behavior of plasma polymer films containing silver nanoparticles

Abstract

A reversible electronic switching effect has been observed in plasma polymer films with embedded silver nanoparticles. The electrical and nanostructural properties of the films have been investigated, and three different structure types were observed: metallic, percolation, and dielectric. While for the metallic and dielectric types, respectively, metallic conduction and thermally activated tunneling can be identified as the dominant electronic conduction mechanisms, switching appears only in percolation structures. These drastic, abrupt changes of up to six orders of magnitude in the current-voltage behavior are highly reversible for these nanocomposite materials, and are defined as threshold switching

Silver Nanoparticles

“…Production of metal/polymer nanocomposites in poly(methyl methacrylate), N-isopropylacrylamide, diallyldimethylammonium chloride, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl carbazole), and polyimide films has been reported (Boyd et al 2006;Sakamoto et al 2007;Sakamoto et al 2009). Nanocomposites of polymer/silver nanoparticles have attracted great attention because of their potential applications in the fields of catalysis, bioengineering, photonics, and electronics (Kiesow et al 2003). Polymers are considered good host materials for metallic nanoparticles as well as other stabilizing agents, including citrates, organic solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran/methanol), long chain alcohols, surfactants, and organometallics (Sarkar et al 2005;Chen et al 2001).…”

“…Polymers are considered good host materials for metallic nanoparticles as well as other stabilizing agents, including citrates, organic solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran/methanol), long chain alcohols, surfactants, and organometallics (Sarkar et al 2005;Chen et al 2001). Various chemical and physical methods were applied to prepare metal-polymer composites (e.g., fabrication approach) (Kiesow et al 2003;Rifai et al 2006). Fabrication approach is often referred to as the evaporation method since the polymer solvent is evaporated from the reaction mixture after nanoparticle dispersion.…”

Surface plasmon polariton assisted optical switching in noble bimetallic nanoparticle system

“…Banking on high  (3) values, optical switching was reported in the percolation threshold of Au nanoclusters in SiO 2 matrix [9], and Cu nanoclusters on Si 3 N 4 film [41]. A reversible electronic threshold switching was reported in percolative Ag nanoclusters embedded in polymer matrix [42]. The optical switching originating from the excitation of the surface plasmon was recorded for metal-oxide-metal tunnelling junctions [43].…”

“…A sharp change of up to six orders of magnitude in the current-voltage behavior are highly reversible for these nanocomposite materials, and are defined as threshold switching at a percolation threshold, 0.78 of the metallic coverage (Fig. 7) [42]. At the percolation threshold [43].…”

Silver Particulate Films on Compatible Softened Polymer Composites

“…Figure 16 shows variation of room temperature resistance of silver particulate film of various thicknesses on the blend PS/P2VP, 50:50.With the increase in the thickness of the silver particulate film the room temperature resistance of the film decreases [34]. Blending of P2VP with PS is expected to provide a polymer matrix where the size of silver clusters and inter-cluster separation can be modified because dispersion, size distribution and impregnation depth results from the natures of polymeric hosts [40]. and PS/P2VP, 50:50.It is evident from the figure that decrease in the particle size in the films of P2VP and PS/P2VP, 50/50 resulted in the close proximity of particles with reduction in the inter-particle separation.…”