PEDOT:PSS post-treated by DMSO using spin coating, roll-to-roll and immersion: a comparative study

摘要

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) anions (PEDOT:PSS) is a polymer widely used in organic optoelectronic devices as a hole transport material. This polymer is transparent, flexible, easy to process, and exhibits high resistance to degradation. However, the (PEDOT:PSS) can present low electrical conductivity, and subsequent treatment with a dopant material, such as Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), is often necessary to improve its performance as an electrode. In this work, the effect of the DMSO on PEDOT:PSS was studied and its relation with the deposition method, such as spin coating and roll-to-roll, was analyzed. To optimize their performance as an electrode, both films were post-treated several times using DMSO via the same deposition method until it has the highest value of conductivity. Optical, morphological, and electrical properties are reported as a function of deposition method and solvent treatment. It has been demonstrated that the films formed by both methods present high transparency in the visible spectrum, electrical conductivity and morphological characteristics suitable for use in optoelectronic devices. Also, the roll-to-roll deposition method proved to be promising for the development of large-scale conductive transparent films.