Theoretical Application of Statistical Thermodynamics to Establish Energy Level Profile in Conducting Polymers
Duke Omondi Orata *
Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Dorcas Gathoni Ngigi
Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
David Kariuki
Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Electronically conducting polymers have been a subject of intense research given their broad applications domain in energy production, use as electrochromic devices etc. Unfortunately the conduction mechanism in these polymers is yet to be resolved conclusively. Various schemes have been proposed to account for conductivity in these conducting organic materials, with none completely fitting the behavior of these polymers
In this paper theoretical modelling based on Boltzmann and Fermi -Dirac statistical distribution models is applied to these electronic conductors in attempts to establish and propose the energy level profile in these organic conductors. The energy level profile
A partition function to account for the properties of these organic conductors is proposed. The results obtained show that the Fermi-Dirac distribution model yields a more appropriate energy level pattern which is aligned to empirically known behavior of these electronic conductors.
The partition function for the polymer obtained from the Fermi-Dirac model is constant, and is a veiled confirmation of the continuum formed by energy levels leading to formation of a band which are fundamental in the conduction process.
Both models confirm the fact that, these electronically conducting polymers obey the basic electronic configurational rules hence are just like metallic conductors.
Attempts have been made to use the concept of ensembles to refine the discussion on energy levels in the polymers.
Keywords: Drug-dose, Polymers, Calculation, energy production, Carnivores., electrochromic, electronic conductors, theoretical application