Electrical conductivity and light emission in a system of metal nanoparticles and organic molecules

This work deals with an investigation of the electrical conductivity and the light emission in a system involving gold islands and organic stearon molecules (C 17 H 35 )CO. An essential change in the electrical conductivity and the light emission characteristics was found on passing from the constant to the alternating operation mode. The results obtained point out a strong effect of the organic layers present between the gold nanoparticles on I-V characteristics and light emission spectra of the composite systems concerned. The data are interpreted in terms of effects of electric field and Joule heating on the conductive channels formed in the island films.