Electronic properties of poly(o-methoxy aniline)-silver nanocomposite thin films: influence of nanoparticle size and density

Abstract

A tailor-made synthesis of Ag nanoparticles in chloroform is made through an interfacial redox reaction between poly(o-methoxy aniline) (POMA) and an aqueous AgNO₃ solution. Particles of three different sizes and densities are prepared. Different current-voltage (I-V) behavior is observed in the thin films of POMA-Ag nanocomposites for different sizes and densities of nanoparticles. If the nanoparticle size is large (diameter = 21.9 ± 1.7 nm), and the density is low (density = 2.6 × 10¹⁴/m²), they exhibit switching behavior. And if size is low (8.9 ± 0.8 nm) and density is very high (60 × 10¹⁴/m²), they exhibit rectification properties. Possible reasons for rectification and switching characteristics are discussed.