Hydrophobic and flexible conductive films consisting of PEDOT:PSS-PBA/fluorine-modified silica and their performance in weather stability

In this research, an innovative approach to increase the hydrophobic property and weather stability of the flexible conductive films was demonstrated. A flexible PEDOT:PSS-PBA conductive film was prepared by using poly(styrenesulfonate)-poly(butyl acrylate) (PSS-PBA) soft latex as a polymeric template to prepare poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Fluorine-modified silica was synthesized and surface-modified by the coupling agents, 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MSMA) and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTES). The formed fluorine-modified silica was introduced into a PEDOT: PSS-PBA conductive material by two approaches: blending and coating. The optoelectronic property and surface morphology of the PEDOT:PSS-PBA/silica thin film were investigated. Furthermore, the hydrophobic property was measured by the water contact angle. In addition, the weather stability was also examined to compare the conductivity decay in the high humidity circumstance. The result showed that flexible PEDOT:PSS-PBA/silica conductive films not only sustained the excellent optoelectronic property from PEDOT:PSS, but also achieved a superior water contact angle (>90 degrees) and weather stability.