Radiation-induced conductivity in poly(phenylene vinylene) derivatives

Using the pulse-radiolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity technique the mobility and decay kinetics of radiation-induced charge carriers is studied in a series of poly(2,5-dialkoxy-phenylene vinylene) derivatives. The lower limit to the sum of the mobilities of the positive and negative charge carriers, Sigma mu(min), depends strongly on the alkoxy functionalization and ranges from 1.2.10(-7) to 1.4.10(-6) m(2)/V.s at room temperature. Sigma mu(min) increases with the degree of order in the material. The after-pulse conductivity decay kinetics are disperse and are controlled by a combination of charge recombination and trapping.