Structural control of mixed ionic and electronic transport in conducting polymers.


Type
Article
Change log
Authors
Inal, Sahika 
Collins, Brian A 
Sessolo, Michele 
Stavrinidou, Eleni 
Abstract

UNLABELLED: Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate), PEDOT: PSS, has been utilized for over two decades as a stable, solution-processable hole conductor. While its hole transport properties have been the subject of intense investigation, recent work has turned to PEDOT: PSS as a mixed ionic/electronic conductor in applications including bioelectronics, energy storage and management, and soft robotics. Conducting polymers can efficiently transport both holes and ions when sufficiently hydrated, however, little is known about the role of morphology on mixed conduction. Here, we show that bulk ionic and electronic mobilities are simultaneously affected by processing-induced changes in nano- and meso-scale structure in PEDOT: PSS films. We quantify domain composition, and find that domain purification on addition of dispersion co-solvents limits ion mobility, even while electronic conductivity improves. We show that an optimal morphology allows for the balanced ionic and electronic transport that is critical for prototypical mixed conductor devices. These findings may pave the way for the rational design of polymeric materials and processing routes to enhance devices reliant on mixed conduction.

Description
Keywords
0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural), 0912 Materials Engineering
Journal Title
Nat Commun
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2041-1723
2041-1723
Volume Title
7
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC