Conduction models in polyaniline: The effect of temperature on the current–voltage properties of polyaniline over the temperature range 30< T(K)

Abstract

Electrical conduction in thin films and pellets of polyaniline has been shown by several researchers to be temperature activated. Commercial polyaniline (Pan) obtained from Aldrich (HCl and CSA doped) and chemically synthesized (HCl doped) in our laboratory were used in this present work. The Kivelson, Mott’s variable range hopping and Arrhenius laws were used to model conductivity in Pan. Charge transfer in Pan samples of different forms and dopant type were analyzed over the temperature ranges, 30< T(K)<300 and 300< T(K)<450. For temperatures below 60 K, application of currents in the range 2×10 −3–2×10 −8 A show non-ohmic behavior; however, over the same current range, the current–voltage profile becomes ohmic as temperature rises to 300 K. It has been shown that the charge transfer characteristics of Pan is similar, despite of the type and dopant used. The Montgomery and four-point probe methods were used for DC measurements.