Electromechanical strain in conjugated polymer diodes under forward and reverse bias

Abstract

Organic polymeric semiconductor diodes based on poly(paraphenylene vinylene) exhibit electromechanical strain under reverse and forward bias operation. Under reverse bias, the strain in the organic diode is created by Maxwell forces (“electrostrictive” actuation). Under forward bias, the large electrical current results in Joule heating and thus in a thermally induced electromechanical strain. These electromechanical effects might be used for transducer applications of organic electronic materials.