An investigation on the fabrication of conductive polyethylene dioxythiophene (PEDOT) nanofibers through electrospinning

Abstract

This article reports on the possibility of the fabrication of conductive PEDOT (3,4 poly ethylene dioxythiophene) nanofibers through electrospinning. Electrospinning of pure PEDOT nanofibers from its solution has not yet become possible. Also in this work, the efforts to electrospin pure PEDOT or pure EDOT nanofibers proved fruitless. Hence, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)was employed to assist the electrospinning of EDOT. EDOT:PAA nanofibers were collected in an oxidation bath, where in-situ polymerization of EDOT into PEDOT occurred. After a series of experiments, PEDOT/PAA (50:50) and PEDOT/PAA (67:33) nanofibers were successfully fabricated. The lowest average diameter of the PEDOT/PAA nanofibers was around 300 nm. An electrical conductivity of 0.16 S/cm was recorded for the PEDOT/PAA (50:50) nanofibrous web which is a considerable improvement over similar products reported in the literature. X-ray analysis showed that PEDOT/PAA nanofibers have an amorphous microstructure. FTIR analysis showed no reaction or major interactions between EDOT or PEDOT and PAA. Moreover, FTIR analysis proved successful polymerization of EDOT into PEDOT. TEM images indicated a good degree of homogeneity for PEDOT and PAA in PEDOT:PAA nanofibers.