Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticles prepared in aqueous DBSA solutions

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles with enhanced conductivity and processability were prepared by oxidative polymerization in dodecylbenzne sulfonic acid (DBSA) micellar solutions. DBSA was used to act simultaneously as a surfactant to form micelles and as a doping agent. Monomers of EDOT, which has extremely low solubility to water, were easily solubilized in aqueous DBSA micellar solution. The effects of DBSA on the resulting PEDOT structure, morphology and electrical property were investigated when DBSA was used in combination with two different oxidants, i.e., iron(III) chloride and ammonium persulfate. The electrical conductivity was varied with the polymerization conditions, and it was relatively high up to 50 S/cm. The morphology of the particles, determined by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), appeared to be quite spherical and their sizes ranged from 35 to 100 nm in diameter. The colloidal properties of the PEDOT nanoparticles were also investigated. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.