Electron Transport Mechanisms in Polyethylene Terephthalate Membranes

This paper describes carrier transport mechanisms in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films and porous PET-based membranes (PMs) obtained by irradiating pristine PET film with swift heavy ions, subsequent chemical etching an alkali (NaOH) solution. The PMs had through nanochannels (pores) average diameter of 720-750 nm. We observed that the temperature range 240-300 K, current-voltage characteristics I(V) initial Cu|PET|Cu structure obeyed improved Mott--Gurney law, which is based on Mark--Helfrich model for a space-charge-limited current (SCLC) mechanism electron transport. It was found first time creation resulted significant increase electric density (by about three orders magnitude) while maintaining SCLC mechanism. enhanced explained formation highly conductive layer along inner surface walls nanochannel are covered carboxyl end groups, created alkaline hydrolysis. According to model, states formed these groups enable drift additional electrons injected from copper electrodes under action bias voltage. Keywords: terephthalate, transport, mechanism, injection model.