Theoretical investigation of semiconductive properties in proteins. I. Electrical conductivity, charge carrier mobilities, and free paths in β‐polyglycine

Abstract

Theoretical values are reported for the specific conductivity, charge carrier mobilities, and delocalized free paths in β‐polyglycine using the parallel‐chain pleated sheet conformation and the all‐valence electron energy band structure obtained previously. The mobilities are found to be much larger along the polypeptide backbones than in the direction of the hydrogen bonds. This indicates a mechanism of conduction in which the former path is favored for electronic delocalization. The preexponential factor of the specific conductivity obtained theoretically agrees well with experimental results.