DC conduction mechanism in polyvinyl alcohol films doped with potassium thiocyanate

The current–voltage characteristics of pure polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films and those doped with potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) are studied as a function of film temperature and dopant concentration. The conduction mechanisms operative in the films in different temperature and voltage ranges are estimated from the behaviour of log I versus V1/2 plots (I=current, V=voltage). For undoped (pure) films, the conduction mechanism appears to be essentially a Schottky type. On doping, there is considerable influence on the type of conduction mechanism, especially at lower temperatures. At higher temperatures, however, there is no significant effect of doping on the conduction mechanism.