Nanoparticle Arrays

Arrays of metal nanoparticles in an organic matrix have attracted a lot of interest due to their diverse electronic and optoelectronic properties. By varying parameters such as the nanoparticle material, the matrix material, the nanoparticle size, and the interparticle distance, the electronic behavior of the nanoparticle array can be substantially tuned and controlled. For strong tunnel coupling between adjacent nanoparticles, the assembly exhibits conductance properties similar to the bulk properties of the nanoparticle material. When the coupling between the nanoparticles is reduced, a metal insulator transition is observed in the overall assembly. Recent work demonstrates that nanoparticle arrays can be further utilized to incorporate single molecules, such that the nanoparticles act as electronic contacts to the molecules. Furthermore, via the excitation of the surface plasmon polaritons, the nanoparticles can be optically excited and electronically read out.