Solution-Processed Highly Superparamagnetic and Conductive PEDOT:PSS/Fe₃O₄ Nanocomposite Films with High Transparency and High Mechanical Flexibility

Abstract

Multifunctional films can have important applications. Transparent and flexible films with high conductivity and magnetic properties can be used in many areas, such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, magnetic switching, microwave absorption, and also biotechnology. Herein, novel highly conductive and superparamagnetic thin films with excellent transparency and flexibility have been demonstrated. The films were formed from a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS; Clevios PH1000) aqueous solution added with iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles that have a size of ∼20 nm by spin-coating. The PEDOT:PSS/FeO films have a high conductivity of 1080 S/cm through treatment with methylammonium iodide in an organic solvent. The high-conductivity PEDOT:PSS/FeO films can also have a saturation magnetization of 25.5 emu/g and an EMI shielding effectiveness of more than 40 dB in the 8-12.5 GHz (X band) frequency range. The PEDOT:PSS/FeO films have additional advantages, like excellent transparency, good mechanical flexibility, low cost, and light weight. In addition, we fabricate flexible PEDOT:PSS/FeO silk threads with a high magnetism and conductivity.

Sequential Solution Polymerization of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Using V2O5 as Oxidant for Flexible Touch Sensors

“…These properties render it a key component for transparent electrodes, electrochromic devices, electromagnetic shielding, etc. (Sun et al., 2015a, Sun et al., 2015c, Zhou et al., 2010, Dong et al., 2010, Xia et al., 2017) In situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomers is an approach to obtain PEDOT films. There are generally three methods, namely, electropolymerization (EP) (Syed ZainolAbidin et al., 2018), oxidative chemical vapor deposition (OCVD), and vapor phase polymerization (VPP) (Alf et al., 2010, Fabretto et al., 2009).…”

Optically transparent polymer composites: A study on the influence of filler/dopant on electromagnetic interference shielding mechanism

“…18 Recently Xia et al reported Fe 3 O 4 added PEDOT: PSS composite film as a suitable transparent EMI shielding material. 30 In light of the above knowledge, no report was found with the combination of polymers that we report, with and without filler, in commercially used X and K u band.…”

“…Sandwiched polymer multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) composites have also shown high EM attenuation capabilities 18 . Recently Xia et al reported Fe 3 O 4 added PEDOT: PSS composite film as a suitable transparent EMI shielding material 30 K u band.…”

Recent Development of Thermoelectric Polymers and Composites

“…PEDOT:PSS can be dispersed in water, and its aqueous solutions are commercially available. But as‐prepared PEDOT:PSS film from its aqueous solution has low TE properties with the electrical conductivity <1 S cm −1 , Seebeck coefficient of ≈15 µV K −1 and PF of ≈0.008 µW m −1 K −2 . Such poor properties are related to the excess PSS that is needed to stabilize PEDOT in water .…”