Polythiophene (PTh) was prepared at 323K by oxidation method using ferric chloride as an oxidizing agent. PTh-CoO composites were prepared by mixing PTh and CoO in different amounts. XRD studies on these composites revealed peaks corresponding to CoO structure. Using these peaks, grain sizes were estimated and they were found to be of few nanometers. SEM image of pure CoO showed nano size grains. Whereas, SEM images of PTh-CO composites exhibited nano size grains and some tubular structure. DC conductivity has been measured in the temperature range from 300K to 425K. Conductivity has been analyzed using polaron hopping models and activation energy was determined. Activation energy was found to be the fraction of a meV for all the composites. With increase in CoO content, Ea decreased. Densities of states of charge carriers at Fermi level were determined.
Keywords: Polythiophene; Nanocomposites; Conductivity; Polaron Hopping; Activation Energy