Effect of Silica Nanoparticle Content on the Structure and Electrostatic Bonding of PEDOT:PSS

Abstract

Conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene-4-sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) containing hydroxyl surface rich SiO₂ nanoparticles were investigated. Rearrangement and bonding of PEDOT:PSS were affected by the content of SiO₂ nanoparticles, which resulted in the modification of an electronic band structure and electrical characteristics. A slight decrease in work function and a shift of the highly occupied molecular orbital edge to the Fermi level were induced by SiO₂ nanoparticle addition. The current path was also tuned by SiO₂ nanoparticles and resistance of the composite film was diminished. SiO₂ nanoparticles affect electrostatic bonding between PEDOT:PSS and doping of PEDOT as well as increase the packing density of PEDOT:PSS.

Keywords:

• PEDOT:PSS
• SiO₂ nanoparticle
• hydroxyl
• electrostatic bond
• packing density

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant (#10041220) from the Fundamental R&D Program for Core Technology of Materials funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Republic of Korea.