Strongly scale-dependent charge transport from interconnections of silicon quantum dots and nanowires

Abstract

We present the first characterization of strongly scale-dependent charge transport of a unique, hierarchical complex topology: an interconnected random network of silicon quantum dots (QDs) and nanowires. We show that this specific topology has different charge transport characteristics on the nanoscale and the microscale: photogenerated charge carriers tend to be confined inside the QDs and externally injected charge carriers flow preferably along the nanowires. The former enables expression of quantum confinement properties, and the latter mainly contributes to the good electrical conduction on the microscale. Our findings strongly suggest that this multifunctionality can be controlled and used in photovoltaic device applications.