Preparation Of PEDOT/PSS Thin Films

Conducting polymers have gathered great attention because of its nice performance such as tunability of conductivity, flexibility, easy synthesis and low cost. Particularly, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4-styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT/PSS), has already been one of the most broadly researched conducting polymers because of its specialties of high conductivity, high transparency for visible region, fine stability and nice processing performance. PEDOT/PSS thin films are expected to be used in the fields of transparent electrode of touch screens and solar cells. Spin-coating is the most investigated method for preparation of the PEDOT/PSS thin films, however, some drawbacks have affected its use in the preparation of the thin films with large area. Bar-coating, a preparation method of films with large-area on flexible substrates, has revealed a considerably fine prospect of application. Therefore, a systematic investigation on coating condition is considerably necessary. Free-standing PEDOT/PSS thin films also have their high potential to applications. Halloysite nanotubes(HNTs) have a high aspect ratio and high mechanical strength, and also environment-friendy and resource-rich, expecting to improve mechanical properties of the free-standing PEDOT/PSS thin films.This paper consists of three parts. Firstly, PEDOT/PSS thin films with large area were prepared on PET substrates by bar-coating method through optimizing various parameters of coating condition. Secondly, free-standing PEDOT/PSS films were successfully prepared and characterized. Lastly, investigations were made to improve the mechanical properties of the free-standing PEDOT/PSS films by addition of the HNTs.