Steady-State and Transient Conductivity of Colloidal Solutions of Gold Nanobeads

Steady-state and transient conductance measurements of gold nanobeads solutions deposited on top of interdigitated electrodes have been performed. It is shown that the application of an electric field of moderate value between electrodes during the drying process of the droplet makes the resulting steady-state conductance value to increase significantly. The dynamics of the gold nanobeads in the solution has been studied by means of transient current measurements during the drying process and the effects correlated to the changes in the morphology of the association of the gold nanobeads when they reach the substrate. It is seen that the application of the electric field foster the formation of gold beads monolayers, chains, and dendritic associations which, in combination with the humidity conditions of the sample surface, are believed to be the reasons for the conductance increase.