Effect of low energy oxygen ion beam irradiation on Structural and Electrical properties of PEDOT: PSS Thin films and PEDOT: PSS/TiO2 Nanocomposites

20 Nov

Authors: Venkatachalaiah K.N., Venkataravanappa M

Abstract: Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene): Poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS), is one of the promising conducting polymers. Its conductivity is generally around 1 S/cm, which severely limits its use in many of the applications. An ion irradiation plays an important role to modify the properties of the polymers. When ion beam irradiates the PEDOT: PSS film, the bond breaking, re-arrangement of polymer structure modifies the structural and electrical properties of the PEDOT: PSS. In the present study, an attempt is made to enhance the conductivity of PEDOT: PSS thin films and PEDOT: PSS/TiO2 nanocomposites by low energy oxygen ion irradiation. The effect of low energy oxygen ion beam irradiation on structural and electrical properties of PEDOT: PSS thin films and PEDOT: PSS/TiO2 thin films were studied by FTIR, XRD, SEM and conductivity using Vander pau method. The conductivity of PEDOT: PSS thin films increases for low fluency ion beam irradiation on PEDOT: PSS thin films and decreases for higher fluency.