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Highly Conducting, Transparent PEDOT:PSS Polymer Electrodes from Post‐Treatment with Weak and Strong Acids
Author(s) -
Bießmann Lorenz,
Saxeitin,
Hohn Nuri,
Hossain Md Asjad,
Veinot Jonathan G. C.,
MüllerBuschbaum Peter
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced electronic materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.25
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 2199-160X
DOI - 10.1002/aelm.201800654
Subject(s) - pedot:pss , materials science , conductivity , dielectric spectroscopy , polythiophene , lamellar structure , formic acid , electrode , conductive polymer , polymer , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , electrochemistry , composite material , chemistry , engineering
The origin of high conductivity in polymer electrodes based on poly(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is investigated and the resilience against water exposure is tested. Post‐treatment with weak and strong acids, namely, hydrochloric acid (HCl), formic acid (HCOOH), nitric acid (HNO 3 ), and sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), is performed and compared to the commonly used ethylene glycol treatment. PEDOT:PSS electrodes with electrical conductivities of up to ≈3000 S cm −1 and high transmittance are obtained. The underlying mechanisms for enhanced conductivity are elucidated by means of electrical (4‐point probe), optical (UV‐Vis spectroscopy), compositional (X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy), and structural (grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, GIWAXS) characterizations. Selective PSS removal and structural rearrangement of PEDOT‐rich domains due to an enhanced lamellar stacking is identified as major influence on the improvement in electrical conductivity. This beneficial high order is evidenced via additional signals in the GIWAXS patterns, which are altered by subsequent H 2 O treatment. The PSS removal and structural rearrangement is linked to the acids' strength and dielectric constant. High conductivities are reached by efficient PSS removal via HNO 3 or H 2 SO 4 treatment with the drawback of high sensitivity against H 2 O. By contrast, HCl and HCOOH treatment obtaining a medium enhanced conductivity differ in the amount of PSS removal but show higher H 2 O resistance.