Synthesis of PEDOT/CB Composites via in Situ Chemical Oxidative Polymerization and Application in Conductive Ink

Abstract

Polymer conductive ink has good flexibility, high conductivity, environmental stability, thermal stability, so has the huge market potential and become the forefront of the printed electronics industry. In this paper, a new type of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/carbon black (CB) composite conductive material has been developed by in-situ polymerization as the main component of conductive ink. The conductive composite forms a cladding structure with PEDOT as the shell and conductive carbon black as the core. The method of in situ polymerization allows EDOT to polymerize directly on the CB surface, eliminating the need to add poly (styrene sulfonate) (PSS). Due to the conjugated effect of PEDOT and the tunneling effect of conductive carbon black, the composite has higher electrical conductivity. The morphology and structure of the PEDOT/CB nanocomposite were confirmed by both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while their chemical structure and thermal properties were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively.