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Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Thin Films with Two-Dimensional Lamellar Stacked Multi-Layers
Youngno Kim1, Yunryeol Kim1, Jung Hyun Kim1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul 03722, Korea.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 11, 2020
Summary
Researchers improved the electrical conductivity of conjugated polymers like PEDOT:PSS. A novel etching and layer-by-layer process created ordered thin films, significantly boosting charge carrier mobility and conductivity for advanced organic electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Conjugated polymers offer solution processability, low cost, and transparency for organic electrode applications.
- Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is highly applicable but limited by heterogeneous structure and low electrical conductivity.
- Improving PEDOT:PSS conductivity is crucial for enhancing organic electronic device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile method for fabricating highly ordered multi-layered PEDOT:PSS thin films.
- To enhance the electrical properties of PEDOT:PSS by improving molecular ordering and charge carrier mobility.
- To optimize the fabrication process for superior electrical conductivity in conjugated polymer films.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of multi-layered PEDOT:PSS thin films using a layer-by-layer (LBL) process.
- Employing an etching process with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to remove insulating poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and rearrange PEDOT structures.
- Optimizing film thickness and utilizing repetitive etching and LBL steps to enhance carrier mobility.
Main Results:
- Achieved a significant improvement in charge carrier mobility from 0.62 to 2.80 cm^2 V^-1 s^-1.
- Fabricated two-dimensional lamellar-stacked PEDOT:PSS thin films with enhanced morphology and crystallinity, confirmed by XPS, Raman, and XRD.
- Obtained an excellent electrical conductivity of 3026 S cm^-1, a 3.8-fold increase compared to the pristine film (801 S cm^-1).
Conclusions:
- The combined etching and LBL process effectively enhances the electrical conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films.
- The developed method yields highly ordered, two-dimensional lamellar-stacked structures with significantly improved charge transport properties.
- This approach offers a promising route for developing high-performance organic electrode materials for various electronic applications.
