Optical, Structural, Morphological and Electrical Properties of 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene: Styrenesulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) Thin Films Embedded with Gold Nanostructures
Abstract
We have prepared poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) thin films via spin-coating. The optical and electrical properties of the films were tailored by the addition of a polar solvent (sorbitol) and Au nanostructures. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au and the bipolaron band of PEDOT: PSS enhance the optical properties. The PEDOT: PSS films annealed at 125 oC revealed a seven-fold reduction in resistivity compared to the as-prepared sample. An improved electrical conductivity of ~35 S/cm with an optimal concentration of sorbitol in PEDOT: PSS was measured compared to 1.35 S/cm of the pristine sample. Further enhancement of the conductivity was observed by the introduction of Au nanostructures via light scattering. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed the amorphous nature of the PEDOT: PSS and sorbitol-mixed PEDOT: PSS films, whereas the peak associated with the face-centered cubic structure of Au was attributed to the presence of Au nanostructures. High-conductivity PEDOT: PSS/Au thin films have been proposed for the development of organic and hybrid solar cell devices.