Effect of annealing temperature with silver nanoparticles incorporation on the electronic structure of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiphene): Poly (styrenesulfonate) film

The effect of silver nanoparticles (NPs) incorporation on the electronic properties of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiphene) : poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) fdms was investigated. The surface of silver NPs was stabilized with trisodium citrate to control the size of silver NPs and prevent their aggregation. We obtained ca. 5 nm sized silver NPs and dispersed NPs in PEDOT: PSS solution, Sheet resistance, surface morphology, bonding state, and work function values of the PEDOT: PSS films were modified by silver NPs incorporation as well as annealing temperature. Sodium in silver NPs solution could lead to a decrease of work function of PEDOT: PSS; however, large content of silver NPs have an effect on the increase in work function, resulting from charge localization on the silver NPs and a decrease in the number of charge-trapping-related defects by chemical bond formation.