How To Choose Polyelectrolytes for Aqueous Dispersions of Conducting PEDOT Complexes

By using different polysaccharide and polysulfonylimide type polyelectrolytes for the synthesis of aqueous PEDOT:polyelectrolyte dispersions, the influence of the polyelectrolyte backbone and of the anionic groups on the properties of the resulting PEDOT:polyelectrolyte complex has been studied. The obtained PEDOT:polyelectrolyte systems were characterized regarding the doping and the morphology of the complexes in dispersion as well as regarding the optoelectronic properties and the morphology of the dry PEDOT:polyelectrolyte films. Polyelectrolytes with high molar mass, a rigid backbone, and strongly acidic functionalities resulted in highly conducting PEDOT:polyelectrolyte films, while polyelectrolytes with flexible backbones and weakly acidic groups resulted in insulating PEDOT:polyelectrolyte systems. These findings could help to develop a palette of new PEDOT:polyelectrolyte systems, which correspond better to the specific requirements of different applications.

A. I. HOFMANN, D. KATSIGIANNOPOULOS, M. MUMTAZ, I. PETSAGKOURAKIS, G. PECASTAINGS, G. FLEURY, C. SCHATZ, E. PAVLOPOULOU, C. BROCHON, G. HADZIIOANNOU, E. CLOUTET

Macromolecules, pp 1959–1969 (2017)