Electrical conductivity of meso-porous Si: Effects of the condensation of polar liquids

A strong dependence of the electrical conductivity of mesoporous Si (meso-P S) on the dielectric constant of ambient surrounding Si nanocrystallites ha s been shown by current-voltage and photovoltage measurements. A sharp incr ease of free carrier concentration in a meso-PS layer filled by polar liqui ds with high dielectric constants has been found. The observed phenomenon i s explained by activation of impurities (boron atoms) due to the decrease o f binding energy of carriers trapped by the impurity potential.