The Effects Of Organic Solvents On The Morphology And Conductivity Of The Pedot:Pss Nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, the effect of solvents on the morphology and conductivity o f Poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) nanofibers was invest igated. Conductive PEDOT:PSS nanofibers were electrospun by dissolving a fiber forming polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), in an aqueous dispersion of PEDOT:PSS. The conductivity of PEDOT:PSS nano fibers was enhanced 15 fold by addition of DMSO and almost 30-foldby addition of ethylene glycol to the spinning dopes. This improvement is attributed to the change in the conformation of the PEDOT chains from the coiled benzoid to the extended coil quinoid structure as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images showed that less beady and more uniform fiber morphology could be obtained by incorporation of ethylene glycol in to the spinning dopes.