Universal frequency-dependent ac conductivity of conducting polymer networks

TL;DR

This paper presents a model explaining the universal power-law behavior of ac conductivity in disordered polymer networks, accounting for various exponents and predicting high-frequency saturation, aligning well with experimental data.

Contribution

It introduces a new model based on conduction path length distribution that reproduces universal ac conductivity behavior in disordered materials.

Findings

Reproduces universal power-law dispersive ac conductivity

Explains power exponents larger than unity

Predicts high-frequency saturation matching experiments

Abstract

A model based on the aspect of the distribution of the length of conduction paths accessible for electric charge flow reproduces the universal power-law dispersive ac conductivity observed in polymer networks and, generally, in disordered matter. Power exponents larger than unity observed in some cases are physically acceptable within this model. A saturation high frequency region is also predicted, in agreement with experimental results. There does not exist a universal fractional power law (and is useless searching for a unique common critical exponent), but a qualitative universal behavior of the ac conductivity in disordered media.