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Polypyrrole/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA composite for flexible and highly conductive transparent film
Author(s) -
Lim Tae Hwan,
Oh Kyung Wha,
Kim Seong Hun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.34507
Subject(s) - materials science , polypyrrole , polymer chemistry , polymerization , polyethylene terephthalate , chemical engineering , composite number , conductive polymer , aqueous solution , pedot:pss , composite material , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
This study compares the properties of a highly conductive polymer based on polypyrrole and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) grafted with poly (styrenesulfonic acid) (PPy/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA) prepared for flexible indium tin oxide‐free organic solar cell (OSC) anode with those of PH500 poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) : poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) in various solvents. Hydrophilic poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA) was grafted on the MWCNT surfaces to improve dispersion of the MWCNT in an aqueous solution. MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA was added because MWCNT acts as a conductive additive and a template for the polymerization of PPy. Polymerization yields increased as the amount of MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA increased and reached a maximum when 50% of MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA was added. The conductivity of PPy/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA composite was further improved and the value reached ∼ 152 S/cm with the addition of a toluenesulfonic acid (TSA)/HCl dopant mixture. To prepare a flexible OSC anode, PPy/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA dissolved in solvent mixture, was coated onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. PPy/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA was dissolved in a mixture of solvents including DMSO, NMP, EG, DEG, and glycerol of a high boiling point that was spin coated onto the PET, then annealed for 30 min at various temperatures. The conductivity of PPy/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA was further enhanced with solvent treatment and annealing at temperature ranges of 100–175°C. Under optimum conditions, the conductivity and transmittance of PPy/MWCNT‐ gr ‐PSSA on PET reached 602 S/cm and 84% at 550 nm, respectively. In addition, it was confirmed that the energy level and mechanical strength of the film were suitable for OSC electrode use. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011