Capillary electrophoresis with photodiode array detection of processable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate aqueous dispersions

The application of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with on-line photodiode array detection to the analysis of processable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) aqueous dispersions is presented. The dispersions were prepared by oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in the presence of PSS. The separation of PEDOT/PSS complexes and PSS was achieved using sodium borate (pH 9.2) in a fused silica capillary and positive polarity. The electrophoretic behavior and UV spectra of the negatively charged complexes were correlated to the amount of PEDOT attached to PSS. The ability of CE to predict the conductivity of films produced from spin coating of PEDOT/PSS dispersions was also proposed.

► CE of PEDOT/PSS and free PSS in processable PEDOT/PSS aqueous dispersions.
► The electrophoretic behavior was correlated to the amount of PEDOT attached to PSS.
► Increased film conductivity due to the amount of PEDOT attached to PSS.
► CE can predict the conductivity of films from PEDOT/PSS dispersions.