Temperature Gradient‐Driven Multilevel and Grayscale Patterning of Tosylate‐Doped Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene) Films for Flexible and Functional Electronics

Abstract

Fabrication of these devices requires patterning the conductive polymer films deposited on a flexible substrate. Various approaches to pattern polymers have been developed for forming complicated topological patterns to create novel devices, as well as to enhance device performance. [3] Photolithography, sequentially combined with reactive ion etching, is currently the primary technique used for wafer-scale, high-resolution patterning of polymers, [4] although the issues of temperature tolerance and chemical degradation during the lithography and etching processes should be addressed for the use of various combinations of conductive polymers and plastic substrates. To improve the compatibility

Hybrid Nanoarchitectonics with Conductive Polymer-Coated Regenerated Cellulose Fibers for Green Electronics

“…To perform VPP for PEDOT/RC-VPP, the RC fiber was coated with Fe­(III) tosylate and pyridine (Figure A-iii) solution in ethyl alcohol. Fe­(III) tosylate was used as an oxidant and dopant, and pyridine was employed as a weak base inhibitor to slow down the polymerization . When the oxidant-coated RC fiber was exposed to EDOT vapor on a VPP chamber, the oxidant layer changed from yellow to deep blue (Figure A-iv), indicating the successful polymerization of the EDOT monomer into PEDOT (Figure D).…”

“…Fe(III) tosylate was used as an oxidant and dopant, and pyridine was employed as a weak base inhibitor to slow down the polymerization. 42 When the oxidant-coated RC fiber was exposed to EDOT vapor on a VPP chamber, the oxidant layer changed from yellow to deep blue (Figure 1A-iv), indicating the successful polymerization of the EDOT monomer into PEDOT (Figure 1D). In addition, we prepared a PEDOT/RC fiber via SPP for comparison.…”

Scaled Production of Functionally Gradient Thin Films Using Slot Die Coating on a Roll-to-Roll System

“…Gradient structures are advantageous because they have been shown to improve the properties of materials, such as electrical, , thermal, adhesive, and mechanical properties. The enhancements of these properties can be realized by fabricating the gradient thin film such that the gradient interface is formed through the thickness − or along the sidewalls − of each coated material. These structures can be composed of two or more different materials ,,, or by using different concentrations of the same material. ,, Gradient structures are utilized in large and small area applications such as secondary battery, , flexible electronic, , and origami film industries due to the efficiency of the method and the structure itself.…”

“…Recently, gradient thin films have received more interest due to their versatility in a plethora of research fields such as, but not limited to, packaging of flexible electronics, − controlled cell growth in lab-on-a-chip (biosensors), thin-film electrical devices and production of nanopaper . Gradient structures are advantageous because they have been shown to improve the properties of materials, such as electrical, , thermal, adhesive, and mechanical properties.…”

Effect of heat treatment with different heat transfer modes on the polymerization of tosylate-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films

“…For a counter anion in PEDOT doping, tosylate (Tos) has been used to produce PEDOT:Tos films with high electrical conductivity 12 – 14 . In contrast to the hydrophilic dopant of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) for PEDOT:PSS 15 , 16 , the hydrophobic nature of PEDOT:Tos improves the stability against humidity, which widens the applicability of the conductive polymer to electronics, such as functional electrodes, displays and organic thermoelectric devices 17 – 19 .…”