Size and irradiation effects on the structural and electrical properties of copper nanowires

Electrical properties of the nanowires have attracted the attention of the research community due to their potential applications in the field of nano-device fabrication. The effective implementation of these devices in a radiation environment would be a matter of concern. The present work related to the study of size and gamma irradiation effects on the structural and electrical properties of 80, 100 and 200 nm diameter copper (Cu) nanowires. The structural and electrical properties of irradiated nanowires were analyzed using SEM, XRD and I–V characterizations. From the I–V characteristics, it is revealed that the electron transport through the nanowires decreases with decrease in their diameter due to a quantum size effect. In case of post-gamma irradiation, electric properties of 80 nm diameter nanowires were found to be affected more compared with 100 and 200 nm diameter nanowires. For small diameter irradiated nanowires, the electrical conductivity increased linearly with applied potential difference; however, the rate of increase of conductivity varied with radiation doses. The modified behavior of the electrical properties of the Cu nanowires has been discussed in the light of Mayadas and Shatzkes (MS) Model.