Enhancement of thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS thin films by addition of anionic surfactants

• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-017-8345-9
• Publication Date: 2017-11-28T16:37:20Z
• Authors: Naoki Kishi; Yuya Kondo; Hiroki Kunieda; Satoshi Hibi; Yuma Sawada
• Keywords: Dodecylbenzene; Sodium dodecyl sulfate

The thermoelectric properties of poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films were investigated following the introduction of the anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). The power factor of the PEDOT:PSS films were enhanced by approximately two orders of magnitude after the addition of either SDS or SDBS when compared with the control PEDOT:PSS film, which was a result of their improved electrical conductivity. Additionally, the wettability of the PEDOT:PSS solution towards a range of substrates was improved after the addition of SDS or SDBS. These results showed that the addition of anionic surfactants to a PEDOT:PSS solution is an effective way to improve both the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS thin films and the wettability of the solution. Importantly, this method allows for uniform film formation on a range of substrates using wet process coating.