Semiconductor–Metal Transition in Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene): Poly(Styrenesulfonate) and its Electrical Conductivity While Being Stretched

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film was prepared from an aqueous dispersion of the polymer treated with 5 wt% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on a glass substrate and was electronically characterized in order to study its electronic properties. The electrical resistance of the polymer film was measured over the temperature range (380–10 K) using four‐point probe technique. It was noticed that the electrical resistance followed three different trends each of which was indicative of a different charge carrier transport mechanism. Each mechanism was investigated in more detail. A semiconductor to metal transition was also observed at 292 K above which dR/dT had a positive slope. Furthermore, Hall effect, electrical conductivity and sheet resistance measurements were performed on the polymer film using van der Pauw technique. The metallic behavior of PEDOT:PSS at room temperature was further evidenced by the results of these measurements. Next, stretchable knitted fabric was coated with PEDOT:PSS prepared from the polymer dispersion treated with 5 wt% DMSO. The conductive fabric was then stretched axially to different amounts of strain and was electrically characterized in both relaxed and stretched states. Despite the constant decrease in its electrical conductivity, the fabric remained electrically conductive while being stretched under increasing applied strain. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1051–1056, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers