Electrical properties of the metal-insulator nanoparticles-metal structure

The electrical properties of the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure with a monolayer of Al2O3 or ZrO2 spherical nanoparticles as an insulator have been investigated. It has been experimentally found that the MIM structure can be in a weakly conducting or highly conducting state, depending on the applied voltage. A phenomenon has been revealed that the differential resistance of the MIM structure is negative and approaches zero (reversibly) with an increase in the electric current. After treatment of the MIM structure in the medium of atomic oxygen or atomic hydrogen, the electrical conductivity of the structure increases and depends on the polarity of the applied voltage. It has been established that the differential resistance of the structure in the form of a monolayer of nickel and copper spherical nanoparticles located between the planar metal electrodes is positive and decreases with an increase in the applied voltage.