Stretchable polymeric film with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties

Stretchable conducting polymeric films are fabricated by blending poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in presence of polar organic solvents, e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diethylene glycol (DEG) at different concentrations and their structures and superior properties are explored. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates the emergence of some crystalline domains, which are mostly formed by the PEDOT segments of PEDOT:PSS. Raman spectroscopy reveals the transformation from benzoid to quinoid structure of PEDOT in the presence of DMSO or DEG, which effectively enhances the electrical performance. Nonlinear current - voltage characteristics show that the maximum current is obtained for 7 and 3 wt% DMSO and DEG doped PVA/PEDOT:PSS films respectively and the corresponding current enhancement is around 12 and 38 times in comparison with the untreated film. The charge transport mechanism is illustrated with the Poole – Frenkel effect. FTIR study implies the hydrogen bond formation among PVA, PSS and polar organic solvents that makes the film stretchable. Stress - strain behavior exhibits nearly 2.0–3.0 and 2.5–4.5 times stretchability enhancement for 5 and 7 wt% DMSO and DEG doped films respectively. Thus, flexible conducting polymeric films are prepared and their superior electrical and mechanical properties for the specific solvent conditions are explored. [Display omitted] •PVA/PEDOT:PSS blended films are prepared in presence of DMSO and DEG..•PEDOT segments transform from benzoid to quinoid conformation.•Modified current – voltage characteristics follow Poole – Frenkel effect.•Young modulus decreases and stretchability increases in presence of DMSO/DEG.•Huge current and stretchability enhancement occurs in presence of DMSO/DEG.