Synthesis and Characterization of PEDOT:PSS - study of the reaction behind oxidative polymerization

• Grant number: 23/14918-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Florian Steffen Günther
• Grantee: Guilherme Cauet Faria Sobrinho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Organic electronics is a field of materials science focused on the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of small organic molecules or polymers with electrically conductive properties. Due to its excellent stabilityunder ambient conditions, high conductivity, and transparency in the visible range, PEDOT:PSS has become the most widely used material in organic electronics, both in academia and industry. Although the synthetic process of PEDOT:PSS is frequently used, some doubts can be raised about the mechanism believed to occur during the reaction. This indicates that the actual mechanism is not yet fully understood. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the chemical and physical processes occurring during the reaction promises to improve material properties through targeted modifications in the synthetic process. Recently, an alternative mechanism was proposed, which predicts the formation of hydrogen gas during the reaction; something that had not been considered or discussed previously. The project proposed here aims to carry out activities that will contribute to confirming whether this alternative mechanism occurs or not. These activities include (i) titration of PSS to ascertain the degree of sulfonation, (ii) synthesis of PEDOT:PSS while varying the parameters of the routine, and (iii) the evaluation of material properties obtained through optical spectrograms, such as Raman and UV-vis, and electrical characterizations like the four-point method. The latter is the most important as it will show how conductive the synthesized inks are. In addition to these experimental objectives, the project also aims to encompass academic growth and familiarity with scientific work, scientific texts, and presentation at conferences.