Conducting redox polymers with non-activated charge transport properties

Abstract

Non-activated charge transport has been demonstrated in terephthalate-functionalized conducting redox polymers. The transition from a temperature-activated conduction mechanism to a residual scattering mechanism was dependent on the doping level. The latter mechanism is associated with apparent negative activation barriers to charge transport and is generally found in polymer materials with a high degree of order. Crystallographic data, however, suggested a low degree of order in this polymer, indicating the existence of interconnected crystal domains in the predominantly amorphous polymer matrix through which the charge was transported. We have thus shown that the addition of bulky pendant groups to conducting polymers does not prevent efficient charge transport via the residual scattering mechanism with low barriers to charge transport.