EPR study of spin and charge dynamics in slightly doped poly(3-octylthiophene)

Abstract

An initial virgin plasticine-like poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT) and this sample modified by annealing and recrystallization were investigated at X-band (10 GHz) and mainly at D-band (140 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in a wide temperature region. Paramagnetic centers with anisotropic magnetic-resonance parameters were proved to exist in all polymers, namely, mobile polarons whose concentration and susceptibility depend on the temperature and the polymer treatment. Superslow torsional motion of the polymer chains and layers was studied by the saturation transfer method at D-band EPR. Spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times were measured separately by the steady-state saturation method at the same waveband EPR. Intrachain and interchain spin diffusion coefficients and conductivity due to polaron dynamics were calculated. It was shown that the charge transport in P3OT is determined by the strong spin-spin interaction and is stimulated by torsion motion of the polymer chains. The total conductivity of P3OT is determined mainly by dynamics of paramagnetic charge carriers. Magnetic, relaxation and dynamics parameters of P3OT were also shown to change during the polymer treatment.