Percolative conduction in CdSe nanoparticles embedded in a silicon dioxide dielectric matrix

Studies on the de electrical conductivity of SiO2/CdSe/SiO2 nanocomposites in the temperature range of 150-370 K are presented. The existence of a threshold volume fraction of the semiconducting phase for the percolation conduction in the composites was observed. The results are in agreement with the predictions of the theoretical models proposed for granular metals. The temperature dependence of the de conductivity in the higher temperature range (with T-1/2 variation) is in good agreement with the model of Sheng and Klafter.