Electron transport mechanisms in polymer-carbon sphere composites

A set of uniform carbon microspheres (CS) whose diameters have the order of $0.125 μm$ to $10 μm$ was prepared from aqueous sucrose solution by means of hydrothermal carbonization of sugar molecules. A pressed pellet was composed by mixing CSs with polyethylene oxide (PEO). Electrical characterization of the pellet was carried out showing Ohmic current-voltage characteristics and temperature-dependent conductivity in the range $80K < T < 300K.$ The conductivity reached a maximum value of $0.245 S/cm$ at $258K.$ The dependence of conductivity on temperature was theoretically analyzed to determine predominating mechanisms of electron transport. It was shown that thermally-induced electron tunneling between adjacent spheres may take on an important part in the electron transport through the CS/PEO composites.

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