Improved resistance stability of transparent conducting films prepared by PEDOT: PSS hybrid CNTs treated by a two-step method

Abstract

Flexible transparent conducting films (TCFs) have attracted more and more attention for their wide range of potential applications. PEDOT: PSS, as a conductive polymer, have been widely used in TCFs for its potential to boost electricity and maintain higher transmittance. While, there are many problems to be solved urgently in the application of PEDOT: PSS in TCFs. Carbon nanotube (CNT) with excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties is also important material for making TCFs. In this study, films formed by PEDOT: PSS hybrid CNTs are prepared by a simple spin coating process. The purpose of this combination is that CNTs are helps to maintain the overall conductance of the nanocomposite films or inhabit degradation of film performance once PEDOT: PSS degrades due to water absorption and aging, while maintaining high transmittance and low resistance. The ratio of PEDOT to PSS and the internal morphology of the PEDOT: PSS are changed by a two-step method of methanol and acid, which are beneficial to greatly reduce the sheet resistance, lower the roughness, and enhance the adhesion. Various test samples were characterized, and results show that TCFs prepared by PEDOT: PSS hybrid CNTs treated by a two-step method exhibit enhanced properties. The best performance of the film was found to be 65 Ω sq−1@92 T%. High transmittance, super strong adhesion, low roughness (2.82 nm), low sheet resistance and high resistance stability are all achieved at the same time, which is a great advantage to use the films as electrodes in various fields, such as OLEDs.