Magnetotransport in the amorphous carbon films prepared from succinic anhydride

Abstract

In this paper, we report the low-temperature electrical conductivity of amorphous carbon films prepared from an organic precursor succinic anhydride at different pyrolysis temperatures (700–980 °C). The films prepared at low temperatures show activation behavior. The films prepared at 900 °C and above show metal-like behavior, with positive temperature coefficient and a resistivity hump below about 25 K in the R– T behavior. The metal-like behavior at low temperatures was suppressed by the application of a magnetic field. The magnetoconductance in the metal-like films at low and high field limits were analyzed in terms of weak localization and electron–electron interaction models. Negligible magnetoconductance was observed at higher temperatures.