EFFECTS OF THERMAL CYCLING ON THE CONDUCTIVITY OF POLY(3-OCTYLTHIOPHENE)

The change in conductivity in poly(3-octylthiophene) has been studied in different controlled atmospheres using a temperature cycle between room temperature and 70-degrees-C. The decrease in the conductivity in dry air is very small and dependent on the conductivity of the sample . In humid atmospheres the degradation of highly doped samples is much faster than lightly doped samples. The decrease in conductivity slows down after heating the samples (annealing) which indicates an increas e in the order (crystallinity) of the sample. The effect of sample thi ckness and light is also briefly discussed.