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What Is PEDOT:PSS?
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- Conductive Mechanism
- Applications of PEDOT:PSS
- Introducing DENATRON Conductive Coatings
- Frequently Asked Questions About PEDOT:PSS
PEDOT:PSS is a type of conductive polymer. This material can be used for antistatic purposes and transparent electrodes.
The advantages of PEDOT:PSS are as follows:
• Excellent conductivity: It provides sufficient antistatic effect with a thin film of about 0.03μm.
• Stable conductivity: Due to its electron-conducting mechanism, it maintains stable conductivity without being affected by humidity.
• High transparency: It becomes a transparent coating after application.
• Versatile application: As a wet coating, it can be used in various printing methods such as gravure, slit, and screen printing.
"PEDOT:PSS" is an abbreviation for the composite of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS).
Conductive Mechanism
PEDOT:PSS is an innovative material with an electron-conducting mechanism, enabling stable conductivity unaffected by humidity.
Traditional conductive coatings using surfactants required moisture for electron movement.
In contrast, PEDOT:PSS, as indicated by its name, has a coating film with conductive properties. This allows it to maintain consistent performance regardless of environmental or humidity conditions.
The conductive mechanism of this material occurs through the following process:
1. PSS extracts electrons from PEDOT.
2. This process generates dications (bipolarons).
3. The dications move within the molecules and hop between molecules.
This sequence of actions enables efficient electrical flow.
Superior Properties of PEDOT:PSS
As previously mentioned, PEDOT:PSS is an innovative material with high conductivity, transparency, and stability. In addition to these fundamental properties, this material has three essential characteristics:
• Water-based coatings
• High transparency
• Adjustable conductivity
Water-Based Coatings
Since PEDOT:PSS is a water dispersion, it can be used to create water-based coatings with water or aqueous alcohol (a mixture of water and alcohol). This offers the advantage of being less environmentally burdensome than coatings using organic solvents.
Specifically, organic solvents are highly volatile and can cause environmental issues such as air pollution if not properly handled. In contrast, water-based coatings are primarily composed of water, making them low in toxicity and environmentally friendly.
PEDOT:PSS also has the benefit of high biocompatibility. Experiments using rodents have confirmed that there are no cytotoxic reactions to PEDOT:PSS. Therefore, it is a material with low cytotoxicity.
High Transparency
PEDOT:PSS can achieve exceptional transparency with minimal absorption in the visible light range. Additionally, because PEDOT:PSS is an organic material, the refractive index of the formed coating film is low. It can suppress light reflection compared to that of inorganic materials like metal sputtering (ITO) films.
Adjustable Conductivity
Due to its excellent conductivity, PEDOT:PSS can adjust surface resistivity between 102 and 1010 Ω/sq. This makes it suitable for a wide range of products, from antistatic layers (electrostatic protection layers) to transparent electrodes.
Applications of PEDOT:PSS
PEDOT:PSS is a versatile material with adjustable conductivity and the ability to form flexible coatings. These properties make it widely used in touch displays and antistatic applications and enhance the performance of energy storage devices. Below are specific applications of PEDOT:PSS.
Electronic Components and Materials
Touch Displays
PEDOT:PSS has excellent transparency, processability, and durability. This makes it suitable for sensor electrodes in smartphone touch panels and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)/Electrostatic discharge (ESD) shielding for automotive displays. Additionally, the flexible coating of PEDOT:PSS allows for 3D shaping to match the device's form.
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Sensor Electrodes
PEDOT:PSS is used in smartphone touch panels and biosensors to monitor biological functions. One advantage of PEDOT:PSS is its stretchability, which enables it to be applied to various device shapes, such as rectangular or spherical. Furthermore, the low skin irritation of PEDOT:PSS coatings makes them ideal for allergy-friendly and stretchable biosensors.
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EMI/ESD Shielding
Incorporating PEDOT:PSS coating layers into the internal structure of LCD panels provides antistatic functionality and suppresses malfunctions caused by static electricity. Additionally, PEDOT:PSS has a refractive index similar to the substrate (glass), which reduces light reflection compared to metal sputtering (ITO) films, maintaining the visibility of LCD screens.
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Antistatic Applications
PEDOT:PSS demonstrates antistatic functionality with a thickness of just 0.03μm and excellent transparency. Therefore, it is widely used in optical films and antistatic packaging trays.
Antistatic Films
PEDOT:PSS is applied to optical and protective films and carrier tapes for antistatic functionality. This prevents dust from adhering to electronic components and reduces failures caused by static electricity when peeling off the film. PEDOT:PSS delivers antistatic performance with a thickness of just 0.03μm and high transparency. The conductivity can also be adjusted according to the application.
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Antistatic Packaging Trays
PEDOT:PSS is used in antistatic packaging trays to protect displays and other components from static electricity-induced failures. Its high transparency allows for easy visibility of the tray contents, and its electron-conducting mechanism ensures performance independent of humidity.
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Energy Storage Devices
PEDOT:PSS exhibits high conductivity with a small amount and excellent temperature stability, making it suitable for use in lithium-ion batteries and capacitors.
Batteries (Lithium-Ion Batteries, All-Solid-State Batteries)
PEDOT:PSS is used as a conductive additive in lithium-ion and all-solid-state batteries. Its high conductivity with a small amount allows for an increase in the active material.
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Capacitors
PEDOT:PSS is used in capacitors requiring improved withstand voltage. It combines high conductivity and temperature stability, making it an ideal electrolyte for capacitors.
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Antistatic Applications
Organic Solar Cells
PEDOT:PSS functions as a hole injection layer in solar cells. Organic solar cells using PEDOT:PSS offer advantages over traditional inorganic solar cells, such as superior transparency, light weight, flexibility, and lower manufacturing costs.
Electronic Paper
PEDOT:PSS is ideal for flexible transparent electrodes in electronic paper (flexible paper) due to its excellent flexibility and transparency. This enables the production of lightweight, bendable electronic displays.
Introducing DENATRON Conductive Coatings
DENATRON is a high-performance conductive coating supplied by Nagase ChemteX Corporation. It is used in a wide range of applications, including antistatic and transparent electrode purposes. For more details, please refer to the following information.
DENATRON comes in the following two types:
• Type-P: Based on "PEDOT:PSS”
• Type-C: Based on "Carbon Nano Tube"
Type-P
Type-P is a conductive polymer made from PEDOT:PSS. It is suitable for both antistatic and transparent electrode applications. It can create highly conductive and low-resistance coatings, and due to its excellent stability in liquid form, various additives can be incorporated to adjust wettability, pH, waterproofing, heat resistance, and more.
Type-C
Type-C is a conductive material made from CNT (carbon nanotube), primarily suitable for antistatic applications. It boasts excellent heat and UV resistance, making it ideal for use in environments requiring high durability.
Frequently Asked Questions About PEDOT:PSS
Is PEDOT:PSS acidic?
There are acidic grades and neutral grades available. You can choose according to your application.
Is PEDOT:PSS expensive?
PEDOT:PSS is costly but can achieve the desired effect with minimal application. This allows for a reduction in usage compared to traditional materials, potentially lowering costs. Additionally, we are reviewing manufacturing methods in cooperation with raw material manufacturers to offer lower-cost grades. Please consult us for more details.
How transparent is PEDOT:PSS?
PEDOT:PSS excels in transparency, achieving a total light transmittance of over 95% in the coating film.
What are the recommended application methods for PEDOT:PSS?
PEDOT:PSS can be applied using various coating and printing methods such as gravure coating, slit coating, die coating, and screen printing. It is also easy to dry, typically completing within a few minutes at 80-120 degrees.
What is the long-term durability of PEDOT:PSS coatings?
PEDOT:PSS is known as one of the most stable conductive polymers. Additionally, it can be customized with functionalities such as heat resistance, moisture resistance, and UV resistance according to customer needs. However, PEDOT:PSS is weaker to UV light compared to inorganic materials, so we recommend adding UV resistance if it will be exposed to direct sunlight. We can propose products tailored to your needs, so please feel free to consult us about your intended use.
Inquiry/Sample request
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information about DENATRON or to discuss specific applications. Our experts will help you find the best solution for your needs and assist with all your technical questions about antistatic coatings, product selection, and customization possibilities.
Nagase ChemteX Corporation is your partner in product development and quality improvement, offering optimal antistatic solutions. We look forward to hearing your requests and questions.
Inquiry/Sample request
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