Electronic and structural properties of amorphous semiconducting carbons prepared by the thermal decomposition of sulphanilic acid in the solid state

Abstract

A comprehensive study has been made of the structure and electrical properties of amorphous organic semiconductors prepared by thermal decomposition of sulphanilic acid in the solid state at a range of preparation temperatures. The electrical behaviour is well described by the Mott-Davis model for semiconduction in amorphous solids. The structure of these materials appears to be a new example of the recently discovered spheroidal carbon networks. Some suggestions as to the origin of the dangling bonds in these carbons is also given.