Synthesis of Stretchable, Environmentally Stable, Conducting Polymer PEDOT Using a Modified Acid Template Random Copolymer

Although poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has good electrical conductivity and high transparency in most applications, its usage in stretchable applications is limited because of its rigidity, reduced conductivity after elongation, and poor environmental stability. This study addresses these issues by incorporating the soft and relatively hydrophobic moiety poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA). By incorporating PEGMA randomly in the rigid PSS chain, a soft and hydrophobic copolymer P(SS-co-PEGMA) is obtained. The conducting P(SS-co-PEGMA)-based polymer-coated PET film exhibits good resistance even after 400% elongation. In addition, PEDOT:P(SS-co-PEGMA) has better environmental stability than PEDOT:PSS because of the presence of the relatively hydrophobic PEGMA moiety in the chain. Moreover, the potential applicability of the synthesized flexible and stretchable electronic material as a stretchable matrix is established, which includes inorganic conductors (AgNW). When this material is stretched, it can be applied as a conductive interconnector to maintain the electrical pathway, instead of the other insulating matrices.