Electron transport in the plasmonic regime: Silver nanoparticles in ZnO matrix.

Silver nanoparticles were embedded in zinc oxide matrix by using sputtering-cum-evaporation technique. Particle size and metal volume fraction were tailored by varying the amount of silver in the Al-ZnO matrix. Strong surface plasmon resonance peak in the optical absorbance spectra was observed at ∼500 nm. Electrical conductivity was measured in the temperature range of 80-220 K when illuminated at 500 nm, and in dark to explain the observed transport processes associated with this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]