Conductivity Of Polymer Complexes Research Articles

Highly Stable Supercapacitors Enabled by a New Conducting Polymer Complex PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x).

Herein, a novel conducting polymer complex PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x) [denoted as S-PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x) , where PEDOT is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and PSS is poly(styrene sulfonate)], is fabricated with the assistance of zinc di[bis(trifluoromenthylsulfonyl) imide][Zn(TFSI)2 ] (CFE). The introduction of CF3 SO2 - group is expected to bring better stability of PEDOT:CF3 SO2 than PEDOT:PSS due to its strong Coulomb force. Electrochemical measurement shows that a high specific capacitance of 194 F cm-3 was achieved from the novel complex S-PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x) , the highest value reported so far. An all-solid-state supercapacitor assembly with a structure of S-PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x) /H2 SO4 :polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/S-PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x) shows a record specific capacitance of 70.9 F cm-3 and a maximum energy density of 6.02 mWh cm-3 at a power density of 397 mW cm-3 . This supercapacitor device demonstrates excellent electrochemical stability with a capacitance retention rate of 98 % after 10 000 cycles and extreme air stability of 96 % capacitance retention rate after 10 000 cycles, even if the device is exposed to air over 2880 h, much better than that of PEDOT:PSS based supercapacitors. Excellent capacitance can be achieved from PEDOT:CF3 SO2(x) PSS(1-x) electrode under electrolyte-free conditions. This work provides a novel method for high performance stable supercapacitors and may pave the way for the commercialization of PEDOT based supercapacitors.

In-situ crosslinked Zn2+-conducting polymer complex interphase with synergistic anion shielding and cation regulation for high-rate and dendrite-free zinc metal anodes

Aqueous Zn ion batteries hold great promise for next-generation energy storage systems. However, the uncontrolled Zn dendrite growth and adverse side reactions severely hinder their commercial application. Herein, a mixed organic electronic/ionic conductor interface consisting of Zn2+ crosslinked poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (ZPS) is in-situ formed on Zn metal surface, which can be used as a “cation–anion regulation” synergistic interface to protect Zn anodes. It is found that the ZPS interfacial layer has abundant negatively charged sulfonic groups and merit of cation permeability, which enables deanionization shock and effectively alleviates the side reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and finite elements method demonstrate that the ZPS interfacial layer prevents the local agglomeration of Zn2+ ions and makes the interfacial electric field evenly distributed, thereby enabling uniform Zn2+ flux and dendrite-free deposition. As a result, the modified Zn anode delivers an ultralong Zn plating/stripping cycling lifetime of 2200 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. Additionally, a long-term lifespan of 250 h is harvested even at an extremely high current of 20 mA cm−2. This work opens up a new field for the mixed organic electronic/ionic conductor in Zn anode protection and offers a promising strategy to accelerate the development of aqueous battery systems.

An alcohol-dispersed conducting polymer complex for fully printable organic solar cells with improved stability

An alcohol-dispersed conducting polymer complex for fully printable organic solar cells with improved stability

Comparison of Optical Ammonia-Sensing Properties of Conducting Polymer Complexes with Polysulfonic Acids

Thin films of conducting polymer complexes with polysulfonic acids of various structures were electrochemically deposited onto transparent FTO electrodes. The behavior of the polymer-based optical ammonia vapor sensors in response to various concentrations of ammonia vapors, ranging from 5 to 135 ppm, was investigated, including the response time and response amplitude. It was found that the nature of the conducting polymers (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polypyrrole, polyaniline), as well as the structure of the polyacids, affected the sensing performance of the obtained complexes.

Atomistic Modeling of PEDOT:PSS Complexes I: DFT Benchmarking

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a conductive polymer complex integral to both established and next-generation electronic devices. Density functional theory (DF...

Combination of nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes for organic hybrid thermoelectrics

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are usually very expensive, but inexpensive CNTs have been mass-produced by a super-growth (SG) method. The SG-CNTs, however, have many defects resulting in a low conductivity, which is a disadvantage of the SG-CNTs. We discovered that even the defective SG-CNTs can provide a good thermoelectric performance by forming ternary hybrid films made of the SG-CNTs, nanoparticles (NPs) of a conducting polymer complex, poly(nickel 1,1,2,2-ethenetetrathiolate) (PETT) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The good thermoelectric performance of the ternary film (PETT-NP/SG-CNT/PVC) was possibly attributed to the defect repair effect in addition to the bridging effect of the PETT-NPs among the CNTs. In order to confirm this new concept, we attempted the deposition of metal NPs at the defects of the SG-CNTs. We initially made a physical mixture of palladium (Pd) NPs and the SG-CNTs in dispersions to cover the SG-CNT defects with the Pd-NPs. The obtained films showed only a slight improvement in electrical conductivity. Chemical reduction of the Pd ions in the dispersion of the SG-CNTs, on the other hand, provided hybrids with an enhanced electrical conductivity, thus, use as thermoelectric materials. The thermoelectric figure-of-merit was estimated to be ∼0.3, which is a relatively high value for organic hybrid materials.

Design of Potassium-Selective Mixed Ion/Electron Conducting Polymers.

An approach providing cation-selective poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT):polyelectrolyte-mixed conductors is presented in this communication based on the structural modification of this ambivalent (ionic and electronic conductive) polymer complex. First, an 18-crown-6 moiety is integrated into the styrene sulfonate monomer structure as a specific metal cation scavenger particularly targeting K+ versus Na+ detection. This newly functionalized monomer is characterized by 1 H NMR titration to evaluate the ion selectivity. Aqueous PEDOT dispersion inks containing the polymeric ion-selective moieties are designed and their electrical and electrochemical properties analyzed. These biocompatible inks are the first proof-of-concept step towards ion selectivity in view of their interfacing with biological cells and microorgans of interest in the field of biosensors and physiology.

PEDOT:PSS-Based Conductive Textiles and Their Applications.

The conductive polymer complex poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is the most explored conductive polymer for conductive textiles applications. Since PEDOT:PSS is readily available in water dispersion form, it is convenient for roll-to-roll processing which is compatible with the current textile processing applications. In this work, we have made a comprehensive review on the PEDOT:PSS-based conductive textiles, methods of application onto textiles and their applications. The conductivity of PEDOT:PSS can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude using processing agents. However, neat PEDOT:PSS lacks flexibility and strechability for wearable electronics applications. One way to improve the mechanical flexibility of conductive polymers is making a composite with commodity polymers such as polyurethane which have high flexibility and stretchability. The conductive polymer composites also increase attachment of the conductive polymer to the textile, thereby increasing durability to washing and mechanical actions. Pure PEDOT:PSS conductive fibers have been produced by solution spinning or electrospinning methods. Application of PEDOT:PSS can be carried out by polymerization of the monomer on the fabric, coating/dyeing and printing methods. PEDOT:PSS-based conductive textiles have been used for the development of sensors, actuators, antenna, interconnections, energy harvesting, and storage devices. In this review, the application methods of PEDOT:SS-based conductive polymers in/on to a textile substrate structure and their application thereof are discussed.

Enhanced functionalities of DNA thin films by facile conjugation with conducting polymers

In this study, we discuss a method to embed PEDOT:PSS into DNA with a designated concentration of PEDOT:PSS and construction of PEDOT:PSS-embedded DNA thin films. In order to shed light on the interaction between PEDOT:PSS and DNA, optical spectroscopy measurements were performed. DNA-PEDOT:PSS thin films showed a broad absorption band around 800 nm which was associated with PEDOT:PSS. The electrical properties of DNA-PEDOT:PSS thin films were assessed. A significant enhancement in current for DNA-PEDOT:PSS thin films DNA was observed which agreed with the decrement in band gap of DNA-PEDOT:PSS thin films. For the energy storage capability and dielectric constant of DNA-PEDOT:PSS thin films, capacitance measurements were conducted. Frequency-dependent capacitance indicated enhancement in the capacitance and dielectric constant by electric polarization of PEDOT:PSS in a DNA thin film. Our approach may assist in development of various biosensors and electronic devices with specific functionalities based on biomaterials and conducting polymer complexes.

Ultra-Stretchable Conductive Polymer Complex As a Wearable Strain Sensor with Excellent Linearity and Repeatable Autonomous Self-Healing Ability

Wearable strain sensors are essential for the realization of applications in the broad fields of remote healthcare monitoring, soft robots, immersive gaming, among many others. These flexible sensors should be comfortably adhered to skin and capable of monitoring human motions with high accuracy, as well as exhibiting excellent durability. However, it is challenging to develop electronic materials that possess the properties of skin—compliant, elastic, stretchable, and self-healable. This work demonstrates a new regenerative polymer complex composed of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAAMPSA), polyaniline (PANI) and phytic acid (PA) as a skin-like electronic material. It exhibits ultrahigh stretchability (1935%), excellent repeatable autonomous self-healing ability (repeating healing efficiency > 98%), and exceptional linearity (R2 > 0.995) — outperforming current reported wearable strain sensors. The deprotonated polyelectrolyte, multivalent anion, and doped conductive polymer, under ambient conditions, synergistically construct a regenerative dynamic network of polymer complex crosslinked by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, which enables ultrahigh stretchability and repeatable self-healing. Sensitive strain-responsive geometric and piezoresistive mechanisms of the material owing to the homogenous and viscoelastic nature provide excellent linear responses to omnidirectional tensile strain and bending deformations. Furthermore, this material is scalable and simple to process in an environmentally-friendly manner, paving the way for the next generation flexible electronics. Figure 1

Thermal Properties of PEDOT-compl-PSS Sensor Yarns and Textile Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

Smart textile structures such as sensor yarns provide real possibility for in situ structural health monitoring of textile reinforced thermoplastic composites. In this work thermal properties of E-glass/polypropylene (GF/ PP) and E-glass/poly(N,N’-hexamethylene adipamide) (GF/PA66) sensor yarns based on conductive polymer complex [3,4(ethylenedioxy)thiophene]-compl-poly(4-vinylbenzenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT-compl-PSS) and related composites were studied. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) methods were used to detect thermal behaviour of these structures and effect of coatings applied. According to TGA, GF/PP sensor yarn started to decompose at higher temperature, 345 °C, and showed higher pyrolysis residue, 28 %, compared to GF/PA66 sensor yarn that started to decompose at 316 °C and had lower pyrolysis residue, 23 % . The MCC showed that Heat Release Rate peaks of GF/PP sensor yarn, 341 W/g, and GF/PA66 sensor yarn, 348 W/g, occurred at similar Heat Release Temperature, ~ 430 °C. The additional peak, 51 W/g, was detected for GF/PP sensor yarn at 493 °C. Finally, LOI 22 and LOI 23 were detected only for GF/PP and GF/PA66 composites with integrated sensor yarns.

Ultrastretchable Conductive Polymer Complex as a Strain Sensor with a Repeatable Autonomous Self-Healing Ability.

Wearable strain sensors are essential for the realization of applications in the broad fields of remote healthcare monitoring, soft robots, and immersive gaming, among many others. These flexible sensors should be comfortably adhered to the skin and capable of monitoring human motions with high accuracy, as well as exhibiting excellent durability. However, it is challenging to develop electronic materials that possess the properties of skin-compliant, elastic, stretchable, and self-healable. This work demonstrates a new regenerative polymer complex composed of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid), polyaniline, and phytic acid as a skin-like electronic material. It exhibits ultrahigh stretchability (1935%), repeatable autonomous self-healing ability (repeating healing efficiency >98%), quadratic response to strain ( R2 > 0.9998), and linear response to flexion bending ( R2 > 0.9994), outperforming current reported wearable strain sensors. The deprotonated polyelectrolyte, multivalent anion, and doped conductive polymer, under ambient conditions, synergistically construct a regenerative dynamic network of polymer complex cross-linked by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, which enables ultrahigh stretchability and repeatable self-healing. Sensitive strain-responsive geometric and piezoresistive mechanisms of the material owing to the homogeneous and viscoelastic nature provide excellent linear responses to omnidirectional tensile strain and bending deformations. Furthermore, this material is scalable and simple to process in an environmentally friendly manner, paving the way for the next-generation flexible electronics.

Structural Health Monitoring of Composites with Newly Developed Textile Sensors In Situ

Smart textile structures are promising solution nowadays for in situ structural health monitoring of composite parts that have important place in transportation industry. Composites made from a polymeric matrix and a fibrous reinforcement have been increasingly studied during the last decade. Conductive yarns as textile sensors can be integrated in textile structures by diverse technologies and crucial issue is that sensors integration does not modify their general behavior. In this work interest is focused on the structural health monitoring of textile reinforced thermoplastic composites with newly developed textile sensors in situ based on the conductive polymer complex poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).

Electroconductive Gelatin Methacryloyl-PEDOT:PSS Composite Hydrogels: Design, Synthesis, and Properties.

Electroconductive hydrogels are used in a wide range of biomedical applications, including electrodes for patient monitoring and electrotherapy, or as biosensors and electrochemical actuators. Approaches to design electroconductive hydrogels are often met with low biocompatibility and biodegradability, limiting their potential applications as biomaterials. In this study, composite hydrogels were prepared from a conducting polymer complex, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) dispersed within a photo-crosslinkable naturally derived hydrogel, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). To determine the impact of PEDOT:PSS loading on physical and microstructural properties and cellular responses, the electrical and mechanical properties, electrical properties, and biocompatibility of hydrogels loaded with 0-0.3% (w/v) PEDOT:PSS were evaluated and compared to GelMA control. Our results indicated that the properties of the hydrogels, such as mechanics, degradation, and swelling, could be tuned by changing the concentration of PEDOT:PSS. In particular, the impedance of hydrogels decreased from 449.0 kOhm for control GelMA to 281.2 and 261.0 kOhm for hydrogels containing 0.1% (w/v) and 0.3% (w/v) PEDOT:PSS at 1 Hz frequency, respectively. In addition, an ex vivo experiment demonstrated that the threshold voltage to stimulate contraction in explanted abdominal tissue connected by the composite hydrogels decreased from 9.3 ± 1.2 V for GelMA to 6.7 ± 1.5 V and 4.0 ± 1.0 V for hydrogels containing 0.1% (w/v) and 0.3% (w/v) PEDOT:PSS, respectively. In vitro studies showed that composite hydrogels containing 0.1% (w/v) PEDOT:PSS supported the viability and spreading of C2C12 myoblasts, comparable to GelMA controls. These results indicate the potential of our composite hydrogel as an electroconductive biomaterial.

Specific bioanalytical optical and photoelectrochemical assays for detection of methanol in alcoholic beverages

Methanol is a poison which is frequently discovered in alcoholic beverages. Innovative methods to detect methanol in alcoholic beverages are being constantly developed. We report for the first time a new strategy for the detection of methanol using fluorescence spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis. The analytical system is based on the oxidation of cysteine (CSH) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) enzymatically generated by alcohol oxidase (AOx). H2O2 oxidizes capping agent CSH, modulating the growth of CSH-stabilized cadmium sulphide quantum dots (CdS QDs). Disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with a conductive osmium polymer (Os-PVP) complex were employed to quantify resulting CdS QDs. This polymer facilitates the “wiring” of in situ enzymatically generated CdS QDs, which photocatalyze oxidation of 1-thioglycerol (TG), generating photocurrent as the readout signal. Likewise, we proved that our systems did not suffer from interference by ethanol. The PEC assays showed better sensitivity than conventional methods, covering a wide range of potential applications for methanol quantification.

New Textile Sensors for In Situ Structural Health Monitoring of Textile Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Based on the Conductive Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) Polymer Complex.

Many metallic structural and non-structural parts used in the transportation industry can be replaced by textile-reinforced composites. Composites made from a polymeric matrix and fibrous reinforcement have been increasingly studied during the last decade. On the other hand, the fast development of smart textile structures seems to be a very promising solution for in situ structural health monitoring of composite parts. In order to optimize composites’ quality and their lifetime all the production steps have to be monitored in real time. Textile sensors embedded in the composite reinforcement and having the same mechanical properties as the yarns used to make the reinforcement exhibit actuating and sensing capabilities. This paper presents a new generation of textile fibrous sensors based on the conductive polymer complex poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) developed by an original roll to roll coating method. Conductive coating for yarn treatment was defined according to the preliminary study of percolation threshold of this polymer complex. The percolation threshold determination was based on conductive dry films’ electrical properties analysis, in order to develop highly sensitive sensors. A novel laboratory equipment was designed and produced for yarn coating to ensure effective and equally distributed coating of electroconductive polymer without distortion of textile properties. The electromechanical properties of the textile fibrous sensors confirmed their suitability for in situ structural damages detection of textile reinforced thermoplastic composites in real time.

Beyond Doping and Charge Balancing: How Polymer Acid Templates Impact the Properties of Conducting Polymer Complexes.

Polymer acids are increasingly used as dopants/counterions to access and stabilize the electrically conducting states of conducting polymers. Beyond doping and/or charge balancing, these polymer acids also serve as active components that impact the macroscopic properties of the conducting polymer complexes. Judicious selection of the polymer acid at the onset of synthesis or manipulation of the interactions between the polymer acid and the conducting polymer through processing significantly impacts the electrical conductivity, piezoresistivity, electrochromism, mechanical properties, and thermoelectric efficiency of conducting polymers. As polyelectrolytes, these polymer acids enable conducting polymer complexes to transport ions in addition to electrons/holes. Understanding the role of the polymer acid and its interactions with the conducting polymer generates processing-structure-function relationships for conducting polymer/polymer acid complexes, which can help overcome challenges that were associated with these materials, such as low electrical conductivity and sensitivity to humidity, and enable the design of conducting polymer complexes with desired functionalities.

Terahertz properties of bacterial cellulose films and its composite with conducting polymer PEDOT/PSS

Terahertz response of free standing films of bacterial cellulose and its composites with conducting polymer complex PEDOT/PSS has been studied by terahertz time domain spectroscopy. Spectra of refractive index, extinction coefficient and complex dielectric permittivity are obtained in spectral range of 0.3–2.8THz for both types of cellulose films. Considerable increase in the imaginary part of dielectric permittivity of bacterial cellulose films modified with a conductive polymer complex PEDOT/PSS as compared to that of pristine bacterial cellulose film was found out.

Synthesis and Application in Solar Cell of Poly (3-Decylthiophene)/Titanium Dioxide Hybrid

A series of conducting polymer complexes of poly (3-decylthiophene) and titanium dioxide (PDT/TiO2) in different proportions were synthesized. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) depicted the morphology of the samples, defining that TiO2 was successfully coated by poly (3-decylthiophene) molecules. X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) showed that the interplaner spacing of the composite samples was smaller than the pure TiO2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) showed that there was chemical interaction between PDT and nano-TiO2 in the complexes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that the energy gap of the PDT/TiO2 composite was lower to 0.86 eV, which was the smallest when the proportion was 2:1. Ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-vis) showed that optical performance was far superior to both PDT and TiO2. A solar cell was sensitized by PDT/TiO2, and a solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 0.185% was obtained with the system.

Synthesis and photoelectric property of poly (3-methoxythiophene)/titanium dioxide complexes

Titanium dioxide was prepared by the supercritical fluid drying (SCFD) method. A series of conducting polymer complexes of poly (3-methoxythiophene) and titanium dioxide (PMOT/TiO 2) in different proportions were first synthesized by chemical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the interplanar spacing of the composite samples is smaller than the pure TiO 2, defining that TiO 2 was successfully coated by poly (3-methoxythiophene) molecules. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Infrared spectroscopy (IR) support a chemical interaction between PMOT and nano-TiO 2 in the complexes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that the energy gap of the PMOT/TiO 2 composite was 0.261 eV, which was the smallest when the proportion was 1:1, realizing the complementary advantages of n and p semiconductor. Ultraviolet–visible spectra (UV–vis) and luminescence spectra (PL) showed that optical performance was far superior to both PMOT and TiO 2. Solar cell was sensitized by PMOT/TiO 2. A solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 0.385% was attained with the system.