Stretchable polymeric film with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties

Stretchable conducting polymeric films are fabricated by blending poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in presence of polar organic solvents, e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diethylene glycol (DEG) at different concentrations and their structures and superior properties are explored. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates the emergence of some crystalline domains, which are mostly formed by the PEDOT segments of PEDOT:PSS. Raman spectroscopy reveals the transformation from benzoid to quinoid structure of PEDOT in the presence of DMSO or DEG, which effectively enhances the electrical performance. Nonlinear current -voltage characteristics show that the maximum current is obtained for 7 and 3 wt% DMSO and DEG doped PVA/PEDOT:PSS films respectively and the corresponding current enhancement is around 12 and 38 times in comparison with the untreated film. The charge transport mechanism is illustrated with the Poole - Frenkel effect. FTIR study implies the hydrogen bond formation among PVA, PSS and polar organic solvents that makes the film stretchable. Stress -strain behavior exhibits nearly 2.0-3.0 and 2.5-4.5 times stretchability enhancement for 5 and 7 wt% DMSO and DEG doped films respectively. Thus, flexible conducting polymeric films are prepared and their superior electrical and mechanical properties for the specific solvent conditions are explored.

Automated summary

Stretchable conducting polymeric films were prepared by blending PVA and PEDOT:PSS in polar organic solvents, with structural changes of PEDOT and emergence of crystalline domains observed. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed enhanced electrical performance and nonlinear current-voltage characteristics, with significant stretchability enhancement in stress-strain behavior for different concentrations of DMSO and DEG doping.