Article: Electrical properties in granular Co-ZrO2 thin films Journal: International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT) 2005 Vol.2 No.1/2 pp.43 - 61 Abstract: Granular films composed of well-defined nanometric Co particles embedded in an insulating ZrZrO2 matrix were prepared by laser ablation in a wide range of Co concentration. The temperature-dependent resistivity depends very critically on the Co-volume fraction with percolation threshold in the range 0.45 < x < 0.52. In the dielectric regime, AC transport arises from the competition between the inter-particle thermally assisted tunnelling (R) and capacitive (C) channels. Consequentially, a complex low-frequency absorption phenomenon is observed that mimics the universal response of disordered dielectric materials. The experimental observation can be successfully modelled by a random R-C network. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Electrical properties in granular Co-ZrO₂ thin films

Authors: B.J. Hattink, M. Garcia Del Muro, Z. Konstantinovic, V.F. Puntes, X. Batlle, A. Labarta, M. Varela

Addresses: Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ' Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ' Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ' Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ' Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ' Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain. ' Departament de Fisica Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenguda Diagonal 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain

Abstract: Granular films composed of well-defined nanometric Co particles embedded in an insulating ZrZrO₂ matrix were prepared by laser ablation in a wide range of Co concentration. The temperature-dependent resistivity depends very critically on the Co-volume fraction with percolation threshold in the range 0.45 < x < 0.52. In the dielectric regime, AC transport arises from the competition between the inter-particle thermally assisted tunnelling (R) and capacitive (C) channels. Consequentially, a complex low-frequency absorption phenomenon is observed that mimics the universal response of disordered dielectric materials. The experimental observation can be successfully modelled by a random R-C network.

Keywords: electrical properties; Co nanoparticles; nanocomposites; granular films; laser ablation; size effects; nanotechnology; Spain; thin films; absorption; nanoscale.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2005.006972

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2005 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.43 - 61

Published online: 30 Apr 2005 *

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Title: Electrical properties in granular Co-ZrO₂ thin films