Polaron dynamics with impurities in conjugated polymers

Abstract

We study the charge transport by polarons in conjugated polymers in the presence of impurities. The effects on the polaron motion due to the symmetry of the chain is considered. The polaron dynamics in doped conjugated polymers is numerically studied using the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model combined with the Pariser-Parr-Pople (PPP) model modified to include an external electric field and the Brazovskii-Kirova (BK) symmetry breaking interaction. The time dependent Hartree-Fock approximation is used. The electric field is used to accelerate the polaron in a polymer chain. Polaron trapped by the impurity and polaron-impurity collisions are considered. When the polaron-structure is around the impurity site a charge oscillation can be observed. Nevertheless, when there are collisions between the polaron and the impurity, the polaron-structure can pass, be trapped or be reflected. These effects are determined by the strength of the radical parameter and by the electric field intensity. The effects on the polaron are analyzed and an effective potential is determined. Therefore, the effective potential determines the polaron behavior for each case, as the polaron pass, or it is trapped or reflected by an impurity.