Transparent, plastic, low-work-function poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrodes

Novel applications for flexible electronics, e. g., displays and solar cells, require fully flexible, transparent, stable, and low-work-function electrodes that can be manufactured via a low-cost process. Here, we demonstrate that surface chemistry constitutes a route to producing transparent low-work-function plastic electrodes. The work function of the conducting polymer poly( 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-tosylate, or PEDOT-Tos, is decreased by submonolayer surface redox reaction with a strong electron donor, tetrakis( dimethylamino) ethylene (TDAE), allowing it to reach a work function of 3.8 eV. The interface formed between TDAE and PEDOT is investigated in a joint experimental and theoretical study using photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations.