Vapor phase polymerization of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) on flexible substrates for enhanced transparent electrodes

Recently, conducting polymer thin films have been investigated as transparent electrodes in photovoltaic devices and organic light emitting diodes. Due to its relatively high conductivity and excellent transmission in the visible region, poly (3, 4-ethyelenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been shown to be a viable option for such applications. Herein described is a method for the vapor phase polymerization (VPP) of transparent PEDOT thin film electrodes on flexible polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates and the comparison of this VPP method with two current approaches to PEDOT deposition: solution-based in situ polymerization and spin coating a dispersion of PEDOT:PSS. Electrical conductivities and UV–vis transmittances were measured for films produced by each of these methods, with VPP PEDOT showing both the highest conductivity (approx. 600 S/cm) and transmittance (>94% at 550 nm). The surface morphologies of the films were compared using AFM and SEM imaging. The stability of these PEDOT films, stored under ambient conditions, was investigated by monitoring the conductivity and transmittance of the thin films over time.

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► PEDOT thin films were deposited on flexible substrates by vapor phase polymerization.
► VPP PEDOT exhibited improved electrode behavior over current deposition methods.
► VPP PEDOT provides a highly ordered polymer network.
► PEDOT thin films remained stable upon exposure to ambient conditions.
► Our results show promise for the future industrial production of PEDOT electrodes.