Phase Segregation of PEDOT:PSS on Textile to Produce Materials of >10 A mm−2 Current Carrying Capacity

Conductive textiles with exceptional electrical properties have been prepared by coating the conjugated polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxyphiophene)‐polystyrenesulfonate(PEDOT‐PSS), on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fabrics. Phase segregation from covalent bond formation to surface silica particles generates PEDOT‐PSS coated textiles that hold potential for wearable electronics due to the breathability of the fabric, low toxicity, easy processing and lightweight with high current carrying capacity. The conductive textiles were demonstrated for applications such as electrical connections and resistive heating.

     

导电高分子PEDOT／PSS保护银纳米颗粒的制备与表征

利用导电高分子聚（3，4-二氧乙基噻吩）／聚（对苯乙烯磺酸）（PEDOT／PSS）作保护剂，制备了银纳米颗粒，用UV-Vis和TEM对其进行了表征．结果表明，选择合适量的PEDOT／PSS保护剂可以得到大小分布较窄银纳米颗粒．     

A Solvent Molecule Driven Pure PEDOT:PSS Actuator

Actuators which mechanically respond to various external stimuli are promising for diverse applications including soft robots, energy generators, artificial muscles, and sensors. Herein, a PEDOT:PSS film based vapor‐driven soft actuator by using H₂SO₄ treated process is presented. This actuator exhibits rapid (0.24 s for one actuation) and robust (>1000 times without obvious fatigue) responses to stimuli of various organic solvents with reversible large‐shape deformations. By coating gold on the one side of the PEDOT:PSS film with subsequent generation of specific patterns, the designed bilayer‐structured actuator achieves controllable actuation including vertical and helical bending. Furthermore, a walking robot and a vapor‐driven generator are successfully constructed with remarkable performances upon vapor stimuli using the proposed PEDOT:PSS film based actuator. The achievement presented here opens a new avenue for a new generation of robots and smart sensors.     

Ultraviolet-ozone-treated PEDOT:PSS as anode buffer layer for organic solar cells

ABSTRACT: Ultraviolet-ozone-treated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)was used as the anode buffer layer in copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/fullerene-based solar cells. The power conversion efficiency of the cells with appropriated UV-ozone treatment was found to increase about 20% compared to the reference cell. The improved performance is attributed to the increased work function of the PEDOT:PSS layer, which improves the contact condition between PEDOT:PSS and CuPc, hence increasing the extraction efficiency of the photogenerated holes and decreasing the recombination probability of holes and electrons in the active organic layers.     

PEDOT:PSS导电自支撑薄膜的合成与制备

以3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩（EDOT）为原料，聚对苯乙烯磺酸钠（PSS-Na）为分散剂和掺杂剂，通过化学氧化合成法在水体系中聚合制备了聚(3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩):聚苯乙烯磺酸（PEDOT:PSS）悬浮液，通过真空抽滤的方法制备了PEDOT:PSS自支撑柔性导电薄膜。通过FTIR、UV-Vis对聚合产物结构进行了表征与确认，通过四探针电导率测试、SEM、拉伸断裂强度测试对PEDOT:PSS薄膜的导电性、微观形貌与力学性能进行了表征。结果表明，成功制备了PEDOT:PSS目标产物，在氧化剂与单体物质的量之比为0.875时达到最佳电导率（19.19 S/cm）。自支撑薄膜厚度约18 μm，在25 ℃，40%~60%相对湿度范围内拉伸断裂强度达到45~60 MPa，具有良好的导电性与机械性能。     

PEDOT:PSS coating on specialty papers: Process optimization and effects of surface properties on electrical performances

In this study, the effects of different paper substrates on the electrical resistance of conducting polymer films are reported. A novel method of bar coating is used for the fabrication of organic conductive films on various substrates. Solutions to improve the continuity of conductive thin film in order to enhance the electrical properties are demonstrated. In order to compare the capability of these different substrates for a potential use in the organic electronic field, sheet resistance measurements were made. It is emphasized that substrate roughness and surface energy are two fundamental parameters, due to their significant impact on sheet resistance. Two methods to overcome bad paper surface properties are proposed. The first consists in the superimposition of conductive polymer layers and the second in the use of a protective layer.     

PEDOT/PSS水性分散液的合成、电导率提高方法及机理

PEDOT/PSS电导率通常小于1 S/cm,较低的电导率限制了其在电化学器件中的广泛应用。PEDOT/PSS膜电导率的提升成为其广泛应用的重要前提。综述了PEDOT/PSS水性分散液的合成、PEDOT/PSS膜电导率降低的机理,并介绍了提高PEDOT/PSS膜电导率的方法和相关机制,这对于提升PEDOT/PSS的应用范围和空间具有重要的意义。     

Morphological and electronic consequences of modifications to the polymer anode ‘PEDOT:PSS’

We present a microscopic and electronic investigation of the polymeric anode poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) used as an electrode in photovoltaic and single carrier diodes. PEDOT:PSS is processed from aqueous solution as a colloidal dispersion with excess PSS present. We modify the PEDOT:PSS solution by the addition of a high boiling point alcohol, glycerol, which is known to increase the conductivity of the spin-coated film. Atomic force microscopy indicates swelling and greater aggregation of the PEDOT-rich colloidal particles found in this system. Current-voltage characteristics of ‘hole-transporting’ diodes, formed with gold contacts, suggest less surface enrichment of PSS in the glycerol modified electrode. Through Kelvin probe microscopy, we find the surface potential of glycerol modified PEDOT:PSS decreases by approximately 0.12 eV, which we assign to a reduction in surface enrichment by PSS. Photovoltaic diodes, using a PFB:F8BT polymer blend as the photo-active layer, and glycerol modified PEDOT:PSS anodes are significantly improved as compared to those with unmodified PEDOT:PSS anodes. This is likely to be due to improved hole-injection from the active polymer film into the PEDOT:PSS anode. This emphasises the electronic consequences of the morphological reorientation of the PEDOT and PSS.     

Facile Fabrication of PEDOT:PSS-Based Free-Standing Conducting Film for Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

With the growing popularity of portable and wearable smart electronics, the electromagnetic shielding materials with high shielding effectiveness (SE) as well as light weight and excellent mechanical strength are in high. In this work, the PEDOT:PSS-based free-standing conducting film with superior conductivity and mechanical strength is prepared through a facile fabrication. The cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are first introduced to induce an orderly grow and stack of the PEDOT grains. A phosphoric acid immersion process is then employed to remove the insulating CNF and PSS in the film. The obtained free-standing conducting film shows a record conductivity of 3508 S cm⁻¹ and its elongation at break reaches 3.75%. Encouragingly, the film delivers an excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding behavior with a SE of 49 dB in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) at a thickness of 4 µm. The superior conductivity, mechanical strength, and high SE as well as its facile solution processability make this free-standing conducting film to be an attractive EMI material for portable and wearable smart electronics.     

Fabrication of flexible transparent electrodes using PEDOT:PSS and application to resistive touch screen panels

The flexible transparent electrodes were fabricated by line patterning of conductive inks consisting of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4‐styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) water dispersion, ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. The values of sheet resistance (R_s), total light transmittance, haze, figure‐of‐merit, and pencil hardness of the PEDOT:PSS‐TEOS/PET film were found to be 301 Ω/sq., 85.0%, 2.4%, 41, and 2H, respectively. Furthermore, a resistive touch screen panel was fabricated using the PEDOT:PSS‐TEOS/PET film as the top electrode. It was found that the drawing on the resistive touch screen panel was successfully displayed on the PC screen with good in‐plane uniformity and maximum linearity of 0.8%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45972.     

Chemical cross-linking of conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)

Hybrid films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) were prepared with different molecular weights of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The cross-linking reaction between PEO and PEDOT:PSS was performed at high temperature and confirmed by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), contact angle measurement, and solid-state ¹H NMR. The effect of chemical reaction on the conductivity and morphology of these hybrid films was studied by using 4-point probe and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. As-spun PEO/PEDOT:PSS films have lower electric conductivity due to the addition of nonconductive PEO, and exhibits no molecular weight dependence on conductivity. After chemical cross-linking reaction at high temperature, only PEDOT:PSS films with lowest molecular weight PEO additives show enhanced conductivity with increasing reaction time. AFM result indicates that the heat-treated PEO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid films show grain-like morphology compared to ethylene glycol treated PEDOT:PSS films which shows continuous PEDOT domain. In the present work we demonstrate that the cross-linking reaction can be used to improve the wet stability of PEDOT:PSS nanofiber, showing good water resistance and excellent dimensional stability.     

Nanocomposites of PEDOT:PSS with Graphene and its Derivatives for Flexible Electronic Applications: A Review

Rapid technological advancements in flexible nanoelectronics have fueled the need for high-performance materials with advanced structural architectures and superior properties. In this regard, conducting polymer nanocomposites are at the forefront of current innovative research owing to their excellent properties. Among these sets of unique materials, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) nanocomposites continue to pave the way in several applications including those entailing thermoelectricity, transparent electrodes, photovoltaics, technical coatings, lighting, sensing, bioelectronics, hole transport layers, interconnectors, electroactive layers, and motion-sensing conductors. The versatility and intriguing properties of these composites, particularly with 2D nanomaterials, have garnered significant attention from academia as well as industry. Therefore, in this review, the latest developments in PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites with graphene and its derivatives are focused on. First, the synthesis and fabrication of PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites with emphasis on recent techniques developed to overcome the challenges associated with direct production is discussed. Thereafter, the characterization and thermoelectric properties of the materials are explained. This provides detailed insights into the characteristic features of various nanocomposites and the influence of individual nanoparticles in the PEDOT:PSS matrix. Then, a conclusion, including a critical summary of the extensive applications of the PEDOT:PSS/graphene nanocomposites for electrochemical, electrostatic, optoelectronic, and thermoelectric devices, is provided.     

Tailoring the Electrochemical and Mechanical Properties of PEDOT:PSS Films for Bioelectronics

The effect of 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPS) content in poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) dispersions on the properties of films spun cast from these formulations is investigated. It has been found out that the concentration of GOPS has a tremendous, yet gradual impact on the electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the PEDOT:PSS/GOPS films and that there is an optimum concentration which maximizes a particular feature of the film such as its water uptake or elasticity. The benefits of aqueous stability and mechanical strength with GOPS are to be compensated by an increase in the electrochemical impedance. GOPS aids obtaining excellent mechanical integrity in aqueous media with still highly conducting properties. Moreover, active devices like organic electrochemical transistors that contain 1 wt% GOPS, which is a concentration that leads to film with high electrical conductivity with sufficient mechanical stability and softness, exhibit steady performance over three weeks. These results suggest that variations in the concentration of such an additive like GOPS can enable a facile co‐optimization of electrical and mechanical properties of a conducting polymer film for in vivo bioelectronics application.

     

Anisotropic Motion of Electroactive Papers Coated with PEDOT/PSS

We report on an anisotropic actuation of electroactive papers with a PEDOT/PSS coating in ambient air. PEDOT/PSS‐coated papers were prepared by wetting Manila papers with a concentrated PEDOT/PSS aqueous dispersion and subsequent drying. The electroactive papers displayed a contractile stress when an external voltage was applied, the magnitude and direction of the stress depending on the relative orientation of paper fibers and the loading direction of the coating. We also demonstrated that a butterfly‐like reversible bending motion of the PEDOT/PSS coated paper occurred when the voltage switching between on and off.

     

Characterization and actuation behavior of SPS/SGO ion exchange polymer actuator based on PEDOT: PSS/SGO composite electrode

ABSTRACT

This paper studied the fabrication of new hybrid-type poly(3,4- ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/sulfonated graphene oxide electrode-based polymer actuator produced by film casting method. Sulfonated Poly(1,4-phenylene ether-ether sulfone) (SPS) ion-exchange polymer membrane-based ionic polymer composite actuators were fabricated using the different concentration of SGO. The characterization and actuation were demonstrated. By altering SGO concentration, four different SPS based membrane actuators were analyzed. The effects of SGO concentration on the morphology, proton conductivity, ion exchange capacity, and water uptake capability were studied. The maximum tip displacement and force by varying concentration of SGO were evaluated for the actuation performance.     

Electrical properties of nitric acid and DMSO treated PEDOT:PSS/n-Si hybrid heterostructures for optoelectronic applications

Organic/inorganic heterostructures are an emerging and interesting field of research for optoelectronics. In this work, an efficient organic/inorganic hybrid heterojunction between PEDOT:PSS and n-type Silicon has been fabricated for optoelectronic applications. Samples with varying thickness of PEDOT:PSS were prepared by spin coating technique and the electrical conductivity of organic layers was modified using DMSO as additive. Post fabrication, the hybrid heterostructures were treated with HNO₃ vapor so as to enhance the conductivity of the organic layer. Surface treatment with HNO₃ was found to lower the roughness of the organic layer and enhance the transparency of the layer. I–V characteristics reveal optimized behavior of HNO₃ treated PEDOT:PSS layer with a low Ideality factor (n~3.2) and a barrier height (Φ_B) of 0.8 eV. The findings of the study provide a promising efficient method to enhance the electrical and device properties of PEDOT:PSS/n-Si heterostructures for optoelectronic applications. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48952.     

Hole transport in conducting ultrathin films of PEDOT/PSS prepared by layer-by-layer deposition technique

Multilayered ultrathin films of a conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) were prepared by layer-by-layer deposition technique. These films were characterized by absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and potential step chronoamperometry. The PEDOT/PSS films were layered up with a bilayer thickness of 5 nm and the surface roughness of the films was improved after the ultrasonicated pretreatment of a PEDOT/PSS aqueous dispersion prior to the deposition. The ultrathin films thus obtained kept excellent diffusion constant of hole carriers, 5×10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹, as high as that of spin-cast films of PEDOT/PSS, indicating that the conducting polymer films are fabricated with nanometer-scale precision and act as a junction layer between the electrode and electrochemically active organic materials.     

Flexible and Highly Conductive AgNWs/PEDOT:PSS Functionalized Aramid Nonwoven Fabric for High-Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Joule Heating

High-performance multifunctional textiles are highly demanded for human health-related applications. In this work, a highly conductive nonwoven fabric is fabricated by coating silver nanowires (AgNWs)/poly(3,4-ethyl enedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on a poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) nonwoven fabric through a multistep dip coating process. The as-prepared PMIA/AgNWs/PEDOT:PSS composite nonwoven fabric shows an electrical resistance as low as 0.92 ± 0.06 Ω sq⁻¹ with good flexibility. The incorporation of the PEDOT:PSS coating layer improves the adhesion between AgNWs and PMIA nonwoven fabric, and also enhances the thermal stability of the composite nonwoven fabric. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and Joule heating performances of the PMIA/AgNWs/PEDOT:PSS composite nonwoven fabric are also investigated. The results show that the average EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of the single-layer nonwoven fabric in X-band is as high as 56.6 dB and retains a satisfactory level of SE after being washed, bended, and treated with acid/alkali solution and various organic solvents. The composite nonwoven fabric also exhibits low voltage-driven Joule heating performance with reliable heating stability and repeatability. It can be envisaged that the multifunctional PMIA/AgNWs/PEDOT:PSS nonwoven fabric with reliable stability and chemical robustness can be used in EMI shielding devices and personal thermal management products.     

Electrical conductivity enhancement of spin‐coated PEDOT:PSS thin film via dipping method in low concentration aqueous DMSO

The electrical conductivity of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was enhanced by dipping the thin films prepared by spin coating technique in an aqueous DMSO solution. The low concentration range of DMSO in water between 0–5 vol % was studied in comparison with pure water and pure DMSO. It was found that the electrical conductivity dramatically increased as increasing the concentration of DMSO and reached the constant value of 350 S cm^?1 at 2 vol % of aqueous DMSO solution. This could be explained by the conformational change of PEDOT chains from the coil structure to the linear or expanded coil structure as confirmed by Raman spectra. Further, white patches were obviously noticed on the surface of the films dipped in pure DMSO, indicating the phase separation of conductive PEDOT grains and associated PSS. The sulfur element of the dipped film surface was investigated by XPS. The XPS S2p core‐level spectra displayed that the unassociated PSS was considerably removed from the surface of PEDOT:PSS films dipped in pure water and 2 vol % of aqueous DMSO solution, indicating that the presence of water in the solvents is important to prominently promote the washing effect. Finally, UV–Vis spectra revealed the improved transparency of the films probably owing to the decreased film thickness. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42108.     

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonic Acid) (PEDOT:PSS) Conductivity Enhancement through Addition of Imidazolium-Ionic Liquid Derivatives

Here, insignificant conductivity enhancement of PEDOT:PSS through adding different amounts of 2-methylimidazolium ionic liquids into PEDOT:PSS aqueous solutions is reported. Maximum conductivity was reached through 2-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (5 wt.%) addition. It seems that observed conductivity enhancement mainly results from the impact of ionic liquids on the electrical properties and conformational change of PEDOT chains, and through weakening of the electrostatic interactions between PEDOT and PSS. Also, better conductivity was achieved through weak interactions between PEDOT and the PSS chain, which changes the PEDOT conformation and further delocalizes the polarons, as well as changes the electron transport properties.