Electron Transport Properties of Nanocrystals: Isolated, and “Supra”-Crystalline Phases

Silver nanocrystals (NCs) deposited on an Au (111) substrate have been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. The electron transport properties are presented for the particles as isolated NCs, in self-assembled 2D (see Figure) and 3D superlattices. The electronic behavior is found to vary markedly, the monolayer showing both metallic and Coulomb blockade contributions, while NCs in fcc superlattices show ohmic behavior.