Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Thin Films with Two-Dimensional Lamellar Stacked Multi-Layers

Abstract

Conjugated polymers are desired as organic electrode materials because of their functional properties such as solution process, low cost, and transparency. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in particular, shows the highest applicability, but its heterogeneous structure presents limitations in terms of electrical conductivity. In this study, a facile method to fabricate multi-layered thin films with higher ordered structures was developed. Through the etching process with H2SO4 and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO), the insulated rich-PSS was removed from the upper layer to improve its electrical properties and rearrange the PEDOT molecular structures. The thickness of PEDOT:PSS thin films was experimentally optimized to maximize the enhancement of carrier mobility via a layer-by-layer (LBL) process. The combined method, consisted of etching and the LBL process, showed the improvement of the charge carrier mobility from 0.62 to 2.80 cm2 V−1 s−1. The morphology and crystallinity of the ordered PEDOT:PSS structure were investigated by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). As a result, two-dimensional lamellar-stacked PEDOT:PSS thin films were fabricated through the repetitive etching and LBL process. The optimized PEDOT:PSS thin film showed an excellent electrical conductivity of 3026 S cm−1, which is 3.8 times higher than that of the pristine film (801 S cm−1).

Water-Based Highly Stretchable PEDOT:PSS/Nonionic WPU Transparent Electrode

“…Stretchable and wearable electronic devices have recently received much attention. The intrinsically conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is considered an organic electrode material with excellent flexibility, which overcomes the weakness of rigid inorganic materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. However, PEDOT:PSS lacks elasticity in stretchable electronics.…”

Conductive Polymer‐Based Bioelectronic Platforms toward Sustainable and Biointegrated Devices: A Journey from Skin to Brain across Human Body Interfaces

“…In the last decade, also the family of polythiophene (PT)‐derived polymers has drawn considerable attention exhibiting high and stable conductivity (10 3 S cm −1 ) [ 87 ] that can be varied with the type of dopant and/or the polymerization process. [ 88 ] Among all PT derivatives, the most popular is poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) which is usually doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) to form a highly conductive polymer mixture (Figure 2b).…”

“…[85,86] Moreover, the suitability of CPs surface functionalization has been demonstrated also in neural applications to detect and/or stimulate neuronal differentiation of NSCs modifying PANI with polyvinylaniline (PVAN) to facilitate cell adhesion and allow the charge-transfer and redox reaction of neurotransmitters released during the differentiation process. [72] In the last decade, also the family of polythiophene (PT)derived polymers has drawn considerable attention exhibiting high and stable conductivity (10 3 S cm −1 ) [87] that can be varied with the type of dopant and/or the polymerization process. [88] Among all PT derivatives, the most popular is poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) which is usually doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) to form a highly conductive polymer mixture (Figure 2b).…”

A Quick and Facile Solution-Processed Method for PEDOT:PSS Transparent Conductive Thin Film

“…However, ITO has several serious drawbacks. For instance, ITO can be depleted as it is a rare material [6]. The cost of fabricating ITO into TCE is rapidly increasing due to shortage and complex production processes [7].…”

“…The "PEDOT" grains are encapsulated by "PSS" shells that are hydrophilic and insulating [10,11]. PEDOT:PSS has desirable advantages, such as its solution-processed method, which could support low-cost and large-scale fabrication [6]. Other than that, PEDOT:PSS also offers high flexibility [12] and high transparency in the visible light range [6].…”