Effect of pressure on the electrical conductivity of organic substances : I. Pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile

Abstract

The electrical conductivity of pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile has been measured at 15°～100℃, and at pressures up to 50 kb, by the use of a compact cubic anvil apparatus. The conductivity increases markedly with increasing pressure at constant temperature and with increasing temperature at constant pressure. It seems to be closely associated with the amount of π-electron overlap between adjacent molecules. The conductivity under pressure follows the usual exponential law; σ=σ_0exp(-E/kT). The mechanism of pyrolysis has been also investigated.