RETRACTED ARTICLE: Highly conductive organic thin films of PEDOT–PSS:silver nanocomposite treated with PEG as a promising thermo-electric material

Abstract

In this work, we report a systematic study on charge transport and thermo-electric properties of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate):poly(ethylene glycol) (PEDOT–PSS:PEG) organic thin films doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Transparent and flexible hybrid nanocomposite films were prepared by a simple strategy via bar coating technique. The effect of PEG treatment and AgNPs nanoparticles distribution in PEDOT–PSS films was examined through various characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The content of AgNPs in PEDOT–PSS:PEG was varied and optimized for 10 wt% as a percolation threshold. The addition of AgNPs and subsequent PEG treatment enhances the conductivity of PEDOT–PSS films from 2 to 420.33 S/cm due to the removal of non-complexed PSS and synergetic interaction between PEDOT–PSS and AgNPs segments via PEG. These highly conductive nanocomposite films were employed in an organic thermo-electric (TE) device to investigate the TE properties. These PEG treated PEDOT-PSS: AgNPs nanocomposite organic films exhibit a enhanced power factor from 6 μW/mK2 to 85 μW/mK2 which is nearly 15 times higher than that of pure PEDOT-PSS thin films. Due to ease of processing, flexibility, excellent charge transport, and thermo-electric properties, these PEG-treated PEDOT–PSS:AgNPs nanocomposite films can be potential thermo-electric materials for organic electronic devices operated at room temperature.