Carrier transport in polythene

Abstract

Charge carrier mobility has been determined for four characterized polythenes in vacuo, using a surface charge dissipation technique. The mobility has also been examined in two of these polythenes impregnated with iodine. The values of mobility obtained are significantly different for each of the materials, and introduction of iodine into the structure causes a mobility increase of about four orders of magnitude. The experimental results are discussed in terms of a hopping transport mechanism and indicate a significant barrier in transitions between crystalline and amorphous regions. The iodine appears to reduce trapping either by carrier acquisition and transport, or by charge exchange complex formation.