Chemical cross-linking of conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)

Hybrid films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) were prepared with different molecular weights of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The cross-linking reaction between PEO and PEDOT:PSS was performed at high temperature and confirmed by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), contact angle measurement, and solid-state ¹H NMR. The effect of chemical reaction on the conductivity and morphology of these hybrid films was studied by using 4-point probe and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. As-spun PEO/PEDOT:PSS films have lower electric conductivity due to the addition of nonconductive PEO, and exhibits no molecular weight dependence on conductivity. After chemical cross-linking reaction at high temperature, only PEDOT:PSS films with lowest molecular weight PEO additives show enhanced conductivity with increasing reaction time. AFM result indicates that the heat-treated PEO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid films show grain-like morphology compared to ethylene glycol treated PEDOT:PSS films which shows continuous PEDOT domain. In the present work we demonstrate that the cross-linking reaction can be used to improve the wet stability of PEDOT:PSS nanofiber, showing good water resistance and excellent dimensional stability.