Synthesis of Solution-Stable PEDOT-Coated Sulfonated Polystyrene Copolymer PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) Particles for All-Organic NIR-Shielding Films

Abstract

We prepared poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-coated sulfonated polystyrene copolymer particles as efficient heat-shielding agents, which showed strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption, with high solid contents and good solution stability. The poly(styrene sulfonate -co-styrene) (P(SS-co-St)) copolymers were successfully synthesized via radical solution polymerization, and PEDOT-coated P(SS-co-St) (PEDOT:P(SS-co-St)) was synthesized via Fe+-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The particle size and morphology of PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) were examined using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements. The maximum NIR-shielding efficiency of the film was 92.0% with 40% transmittance. The high solution stability of PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) make it an ideal candidate for heat-insulating materials that find application in semi-transparent heat-insulator-coated windows.

Synthesis, Characterizations, and Thermochromic Properties of VO2 Particles Grafted with PSS : PEDOT

“…In this study, it was proposed that if the VO 2 particles were grafted with a kind of special material, which is intrinsically transparent in the visible light region but capable of blocking the transmission of NIR radiation, the above challenging problems should be resolved. One possible candidate material for such a demanding condition includes poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) whose heat shielding efficacy is known [21][22][23][24]. However, PEDOT is insoluble in water and many common organic solvents.…”

“…In this regard, poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) was introduced into the PEDOT system to balance the polarity, dispersibility, and solubility of the polymer. Im et al [22], for example, solved this problem by applying a copolymer, synthesized from styrene and sulfonated styrene (P(SS-co-St)) as a template for an oxidative polymerization of EDOT. By properly controlling the thickness of the P(SS-co-St) film, percentages of NIR shielding and visible light transmittance of 92 and 40 were achieved, respectively.…”