Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-Ionic Liquid Functionalized Graphene/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanostructures: Improved Conduction and Electrochromism

Abstract

Nanocomposite assemblies of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), embedded with (a) fluoro alkyl phosphate based ionic liquid functionalized graphene (ILFG) and (b) reduced graphene oxide (RGO) prepared from a modified Hummers' method, have been synthesized. Defect free graphene nanosheets within the size of a few nanometers were achieved in the PEDOT-ILFG nanocomposite. In contrast, structures comprising graphene oxide wrinkles interspersed with the amorphous polymer were obtained in the PEDOT-RGO nanocomposite. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that neat ILFG was considerably less oxidized as compared to the neat RGO, which ratified the superiority of the ionic liquid functionalization strategy over the conventional chemical approach, for exfoliating graphite. Substantially higher electrochemical activity, improved ionic/electronic conductivity, much faster switching rates, and an almost ballistic enhancement in the electrochromic coloration efficiency attained for the PEDOT-ILFG nanocomposite in comparison to PEDOT-RGO film were irrefutable proofs that demonstrated the ability of the ionic liquid to not only fortify the structure of graphene but also facilitate charge transport through the bulk of the film, by providing less impeded pathways. Since PEDOT-ILFG/-RGO nanocomposites of good uniformity have been achieved, this, to some extent, addresses the challenge associated with the processing of graphene based high performance materials for practical applications.

Highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) enwrapped Sb2S3nanorods for flexible supercapacitors

“…The insertion of the imidazolium cation along with the trialkylphosphate (FAP) anion in the polymer film, during oxidative electropolymerization, is not unusual, as has been observed in the past by us for PEDOT films doped by ionic liquid functionalized graphene. 27 Since the charge on every Our value is close to a value of 0.3 reported in the past for PEDOT films doped by poly(styrene sulfonate) or PSS. 28 The atomic ratio of I C(total) /I NH(pyrrole) is B7 for the PEDOP-Sb 2 S 3 film, and is only slightly greater than the theoretical ratio of 6.…”

Non-covalent modification of graphene sheets in PEDOT composite materials by ionic liquids

“…The second strongest peak at 286.5 eV ( Fig. 8 a and b) stem from the C-O-C bond from the dioxyethylene ring but also from the C-O groups on the GO flakes [39,40]. The intensity of this C-O and the O-C=O peak decreased considerably for the PEDOT/rGO film (Fig.…”

A facile one step electrostatically driven electrocodeposition of polyviologen–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite films for enhanced electrochromic performance

“…8. These improved results for the composite films are attributed to the reinforcement of the electrochemical activity and large throughput surface area of rGO sheets which facilitates the anion insertion or extraction process within the bulk of PV-rGO films which is restricted in otherwise insulating PV matrix [53]. Consequently, the coloring/bleaching retention period, the electrochrome stability, the response times and CE of PV-rGO were all superior to those of pristine PV films.…”