A novel process for processing aqueous insoluble 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene

Abstract

The present article discusses the development of aqueous dispersions of 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) with polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) for the first time in literature. Unlike 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), ProDOT is solid and insoluble in water, and hence requires specific reaction condition such as acidic media and sonication to polymerize through emulsion polymerization technique to form PProDOT:PSS complex. PProDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion was characterized and studied using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. Particle size distribution, stability, and ion content of the dispersion were determined using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry studies, respectively. Effect of organic solvents such as ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and sorbitol on the conductivity and morphology of PProDOT:PSS films was investigated.