Structure and performance of dielectric films based on self-assembled nanocrystals with a high dielectric constant

Self-assembled films built from nanoparticles with a high dielectric constant are attractive as a foundation for new dielectric media with increased efficiency and range of operation, due to the ability to exploit nanofabrication techniques and emergent electrical properties originating from the nanoscale. However, because the building block is a discrete one-dimensional unit, it becomes a challenge to capture potential enhancements in dielectric performance in two or three dimensions, frequently due to surface effects or the presence of discontinuities. This is a recurring theme in nanoparticle film technology when applied to the realm of thin film semiconductor and device electronics. We present the use of chemically synthesized (Ba,Sr)TiO 3 nanocrystals, and a novel deposition–polymerization technique, as a means to fabricate the dielectric layer. The effective dielectric constant of the film is tunable according to nanoparticle size, and effective film dielectric co...

Limin Huang, Shuangyi Liu, Barry J Van Tassell, Xiaohua Liu, Andrew Byro, Henan Zhang, Eli S Leland, Daniel L Akins, Daniel A Steingart, Jackie Li and Stephen O’Brien

Click for full article