Ion implantation in conjugated polymers: Mechanisms for generation of charge carriers

Abstract

Ion implantation in conjugated polymers can produce both doping (with suitable choice of ions) and damage in the form of broken covalent bonds. We consider the electronic and transport properties as assessed from measurements on poly(paraphenylene) of d.c. conductivity, thermopower and a.c. conductivity studied against temperature for various implantation parameters. Damage is produced at high implantation energies and high doses, and we find that transport phenomena occur mainly in degenerate states near the Fermi energy, exhibiting a p-type thermopower. We propose a model in which the sp² σ-dangling-bond states formed as a result of bond scission are filled from the π valence band. This partial emptying of the valence band is consistent with the transport properties. Lower implantation doses at lower energies induce doping in polaronic bands, with both p-type and n-type thermopower, depending on the ion implanted, although the effects of the defects present can appear, especially at low temperatures.