Diamond-like nanocomposites: electronic transport mechanisms and some applications

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 212; no. 1; pp. 274 - 281
• Main Authors: Dorfman, V.F., Bozhko, A., Pypkin, B.N., Borra, R.T., Srivatsa, A.R., Zhang, H., Skotheim, T.A., Khan, I., Rodichev, D., Kirpilenko, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.05.1992
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/0040-6090(92)90533-H

A new class of electrically conductive diamond-like nanocomposite (DLN) was synthesized in which the conductivity can be varied over 18 orders of magnitude, from 10 14−10 16 Ωcm to 2−4 × 10 −4 Ωcm. The electron transport mechanisms of the materials as amorphous dielectric, amorphous metal and in an intermediate state were studied. In the highly conducting state, the DLN structure contains a filamentary (on an atomic scale) random metallic network. A variety of metals, including lithium, silver, copper, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, iron, cobalt and nickel can be used to form metallic DLN. Conducting DLN materials can be used as Schottky barriers with semiconductors such as silicon and GaAs. Extremely stable metal-dielectric multilayer structures without interfacial structural boundaries were fabricated. The unique combination of diamond-like chemical and mechanical properties and high electrical conductivity opens the possibility for applications of DLN materials in several areas such as microelectronics and stable anode materials for battery technology.