Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) dispersion in water free organic solvents using sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) as new polymeric template

• Published in: Organic electronics 2023-06, Vol.117, p.106782, Article 106782
• Main Authors: Subramani, Devaraju, Mohanty, Aruna Kumar, Hong, Youngkun, Paik, Hyun-jong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conducting polymers; Sulfonated poly(ether sulfones); Thin films; Transparency; Water free PEDOT dispersions
• ISSN: 1566-1199; 1878-5530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orgel.2023.106782

Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a class of very good conducting polymers widely used in various optoelectronics and other applications. Though PEDOT:PSS is generally dispersed in an aqueous solvent and displays high acidity and hygroscopic characteristics that weaken the device's performance and stability. In this regard, we report the preparation of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) dispersion in water-free organic solvents with the use of post sulfonated poly (ether sulfone) (P-SPES) as a new polymeric template material. In-situ polymerization of EDOT in P-SPES was carried out using iron(III)p-toluenesulfonate hexahydrate (FePTS) as the oxidant in various non-aqueous solvents resulting in stable dark blue colloidal PEDOT dispersion. The purified PEDOT:P-SPES complex was spin-coated over the glass substrate and checked for conductivity and transmittance. The particle size and roughness of the PEDOT dispersion were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrical conductivity was observed at ∼0.08 S/cm with a transparency of 94%. The prepared PEDOT dispersion in organic solvent explores a new pathway for the fabrication of organic electronic devices with water-free processing as requirement in optoelectronic applications to improve the device performance. [Display omitted] •For the first time reported sulfonated polyether sulfone as a new polymeric counter ion for PEDOT dispersion in water free organic solvents.•Developed PEDOT dispersion showed stable and narrow particle size of 20–30 nm.•Conductivity value was observed as 0.08 S/cm with transmittance of over the 94%.•The developed PEDOT dispersion in organic solvents will be useful for water free electronics.