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Coulomb Blockade in a Two-Dimensional Conductive Polymer Monolayer
M Akai-Kasaya1, Y Okuaki1, S Nagano2
1Precision Science and Technology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Physical Review Letters
|November 21, 2015
Summary
Electronic transport in poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) monolayers exhibits nonlinear conductivity at low temperatures. This behavior is explained by a Coulomb blockade (CB) mechanism, suggesting its significance in organic materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) is a widely studied organic semiconductor.
- Understanding charge transport mechanisms is crucial for developing organic electronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electronic transport properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) monolayers.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind the observed nonlinear conductivity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) monolayers.
- Measurement of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics at varying temperatures.
- Analysis of I-V data using power law fitting and theoretical modeling.
Main Results:
- Observed nonlinear current-voltage characteristics at low temperatures.
- A temperature-dependent nonzero threshold voltage was identified.
- Power law fitting indicated a Coulomb blockade (CB) mechanism.
Conclusions:
- The nonlinear conductivity in poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) monolayers is attributed to the Coulomb blockade (CB) effect.
- A proposed model involving isotropic extended charge states and percolative transport within conductive islands successfully explains the experimental data.
- Percolative charge transport governed by the CB effect is a key factor in organic material conductivity.
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