Metallic Nanoparticles Embedded in a Dielectric Matrix: Growth Mechanisms and Percolation

Table 1

Particle size distribution parameters obtained from TEM data as a function of the metal volume concentration (x): 𝐷₀ (most probable diameter), 𝐷_𝑀 (average particle diameter, 𝐷_𝑀=𝐷₀exp(𝜎²/2)), and 𝜎 (with of the distribution).

𝑥Ag	𝐷0 (nm)	𝐷𝑀	𝜎
0.08	1.7	1.8	0.40
0.18	11	11.2	0.20
0.23	17	17.4	0.22
0.26	39	39.9	0.21
0.28	220	249.3	0.50
𝑥Co	𝐷0 (nm)	𝐷𝑀	𝜎
0.06	2.0	2.0	0.20
0.12	2.7	2.8	0.25
0.25	7	7.4	0.35
0.30	10.5	11.0	0.30
0.35	14	15.5	0.45
𝑥Au	𝐷0 (nm)	𝐷𝑀	𝜎
0.08	1.2	1.3	0.45
0.23	2	2.2	0.40
0.41	3	3.3	0.45
0.51	5.9	6.1	0.25
0.55	9.5	10	0.32