SYNTHESIS AND DC CONDUCTIVITY OF PALLADIUM POLYACRYLATE

This papers reports the synthesis and the results of the measurements of dc conductivity of heat treated palladium polyacrylate. Infrared spectra and the scanning electron microscopy of the samples before and after heat treatments are compared in order to reveal their structural details. It is conjectured that at T>38°C molecular aggregates are formed or ion pairing takes place in the material due to the breakdown of the polymer chain in it. The semiconductor-like behavior of the electrical conductivity with the increase of temperature from room temperature to 38°C and thereafter, an exponential decrease in conductivity with further increase in temperature exhibiting a metal-like behaviour show that the material undergoes an insulator-metal transition at this temperature.