Determining the electrical mechanism of the surface resistivity property of doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the pyroelectric property of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) thin films

Abstract

Previously, we have reported measurements of the temperature-dependent surface resistivity of pure and multi-walled carbon nanotubes doped Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) thin films. In the temperature range from 22 °C to 40 °C, with a humidity-controlled environment, we found the surface resistivity to decrease initially but to rise steadily as the temperature continued to increase. Correspondingly, we have measured the temperature-dependent pyroelectric coefficient of doped polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) thin films, very well. While the physical mechanism of the pyroelectric phenomenon in PVDF thin films is quite well known, the surface resistivity behavior of PVA thin films is not so well known. Here, we address this concern by reporting the electrical mechanistic phenomena that contribute to surface resistivity of pure and doped PVA thin films, and give preliminary surface resistivity detectivity and other relevant quality factors for infrared (IR) and motion sensors. Regarding the pyroelectric effect of doped PVDF thin films, we give materials Figures-of-Merit based on our measurements. In addition, pyroelectric and surface resistivity infrared fundamentals, IR sensor uniqueness, and innovative techniques are presented.