On the high conductivity of nonconjugated polymers

The mechanism of charge transfer in a metal-electroactive polymer-metal structure has been experimentally studied near the threshold of the uniaxial-pressure-induced transition into a high-conductivity state in the polymer. The dynamics of the I-V curve is investigated as a function of the applied pressure. The data obtained are analyzed in terms of the model of injection currents using the concepts of possible scanning of a quasi-Fermi level near an injection level. Our estimates suggest that a narrow band made of deep trap states located near the Fermi level forms in the polymer film in the pretransition pressure range. In the immediate vicinity of the transition range, a narrow band of coherent charge transfer appears from these states; this band can be responsible for the high metal-type conductivity of thin polymer films, which has been repeatedly observed by many researchers.