Reversible switching of PEDOT:PSS conductivity in the dielectric–conductive range through the redistribution of light-governing polymers. Issue 20 (20th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kalachyova, Y.; Guselnikova, O.; Postnikov, P.; Fitl, P.; Lapcak, L.; Svorcik, V.; Lyutakov, O.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 20(2018)
• Page Start: 11198
• Page End: 11206
• Publication Date: 2018-03-20
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12624g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Chemical modification of PEDOT:PSS allows grafting light-switchable moieties to PSS chains and light induced reversible tuning of materials conductivity in dielectric-semimetal range. Abstract : One of the biggest challenges in the field of organic electronics is the creation of flexible, stretchable, and biofavorable materials. Here the simple and repeatable method for reversible writing/erasing of arbitrary conductive pattern in conductive polymer thin film is proposed. The copolymer azo-modified poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was synthesized to achieve reversible photo-induced local electrical switching in the insulator–semimetal range. The photoisomerization of the polymer was induced by grafting nitrobenzenediazonium tosylate to the PSS main chains. While the as-deposited PEDOT:PSS thin films showed good conductivity, the modification procedure generated polymer redistribution, resulting in an island-like PEDOT distribution and the loss of conductivity. Further local illumination (430 nm) led to the azo-isomerization redistribution of the polymer chains and the creation of a conductive pattern in the insulating polymer film. The created pattern could then be erased by illumination at a second wavelength (470 nm), which was attributed to induction of reverse azo-isomerization. In this way, the reversible writing/erasing of arbitrary conductive patterns in thin polymer films was realized.