A model of conductivity in polymer films with two conductivity states

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple quantitative model for polymer film conductivity featuring two states, emphasizing conducting islands and charge transfer via mobile polymer segments, and predicts various dependencies including temperature and thickness.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model that explains dual conductivity states and their dependencies in polymer films, extending previous ideas by Vlasov and Apresyan.

Findings

Model describes two conductivity states effectively.

Predicts temperature and thickness dependence of conductivity.

Qualitatively explains pressure-driven high-conductivity transition.

Abstract

We suppose and develop a simple quantitative model of polymer film conductivity. This model can be seen as a further development of the ideas of Vlasov, Apresyan et al. The main point of the model is that conducting islands exist, and the charge transfer between the islands is carried out by mobile segments of polymer molecules. This model quantitatively describes the presence of two states of conductivity, and the current stabilization phenomena, and it predicts the temperature dependence of conductivity, and the dependence of conductivity on the thickness of the polymer film. The pressure-driven transition to high-conductivity is described only qualitatively in this model.