Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Aerogels

Abstract

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) aerogel has attracted much attention in bioelectronics, electromagnetic shielding, and energy‐related systems due to its biocompatibility, intrinsic electronic conductivity, and favorable processability. However, fabrication of highly conductive and low‐density PEDOT:PSS aerogels is still challenging. In this work, highly conductive PEDOT:PSS aerogels are produced via ice‐templated pre‐assembly followed by a specially designed thawing process in H2SO4 solution. Upon optimization of heat and mass transfer during the thawing process, along with the unique ice template effect, the microstructure and thin walls of PEDOT:PSS frozen samples are well preserved. Importantly, the porous structure and thin walls facilitate diffusion of H2SO4 into polymer matrix, inducing phase separation of PEDOT:PSS, thus increasing PEDOT crystallinity and partially removing of PSS component. As a result, the as‐prepared pristine PEDOT:PSS aerogels exhibit a high electrical conductivity of 1200 ± 231 S m−1 along the freezing direction at a low density of 15.3 ± 1.5 mg cm−3, enhanced mechanical properties, and a competitive electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency of 25 115 dB cm2 g−1. Moreover, the compressed aerogels show good performances as active materials in symmetrical supercapacitors with thickness‐independent capacitance (maximum 2.1 F cm−2 at 1.0 mA cm−2) and in current collector‐free micro‐supercapacitors processed by laser carving.

Water-Writing Pattern on PEDOT:PSS Inverse Opal Films through the Synergistic Effect of Morphology/Conformation Transition

“…Conductive polymers with alternating single and double bonds are expected to become a critical approach to the development of high-performance electronic devices. − Poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), as one of the most promising conductive polymers, has received tremendous attention owing to its high conductivity, ease of processing, biocompatibility, and low cost-effectiveness. − As a versatile material, PEDOT:PSS can be developed into various forms and has a significant impact on emerging energy applications, including chemistry, − biology, − and electronics. − Photonic crystals (PCs) have also attracted research interest owing to their unique property of light manipulation, exhibiting potential applications in sensors, − displays, − information encryption, − solar cells, , and other fields. − Therefore, combining PEDOT:PSS and PCs is beneficial for constructing distinctive high-performance optoelectronic devices. For instance, Zhao and co-workers prepared an electronic skin based on PCs and PEDOT:PSS, realizing optical/electrical dual-monitoring of human motions .…”