Electron-phonon coupling effects on intrachain polaron recombination in conjugated polymers.

Based on a one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model with electron correlation considered within the extended Hubbard model (EHM), we investigate the role played by electron-phonon coupling constant on intrachain polaron recombination in conjugated polymers. Our results suggest that a competition between external electric field and electron-phonon coupling on defining the behavior of the charge distribution of the system takes place. Whereas increasing electric field plays the role of destabilizing the charge carriers, an increase of the electron-phonon coupling has the opposite effect. Therefore, a suitable balance of these properties can give rise to the correct description of charge carrier dynamics in conducting polymers.