Conductivity and photoconductivity of NaDNA in the solid state

The d. c. conductivity of five samples of NaDNA in dry state was investigated. All specimens show similar behavior, with specific resistivity at 40°C of the order of 10¹³–10¹⁴ ohm-cm and an energy gap of E_c = 2.04–2.25 eV. Based on the Eley's model for conductivity mechanism, the possibility of conservation of an ordered structure in the dry state (temperature range 20–80°C) is discussed. This is ascribed to the interaction of electron systems of individual bases. From the activation energy values it may be estimated that 17–19 π-electrons take part in the interaction. Photoconductivity measurements indicated activation energies E_f of 0.88–0.96 eV in the visible region.