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  • Microscopical Investigation...
    Lang, Udo; Müller, Elisabeth; Naujoks, Nicola; Dual, Jurg

    Advanced functional materials, April 23, 2009, Volume: 19, Issue: 8
    Journal Article

    Electron microscopy studies are used to explore the morphology of thin poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate acid (PEDOT:PSS) films. The figures show that the films are composed of grains with diameters in the range of about 50 nm. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis reveals that individual grains have a PEDOT‐rich core and a PSS‐rich shell with a thickness of about 5–10 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is then used to analyze the topography of fracture surfaces of ruptured PEDOT:PSS tensile specimens. These AFM scans also show that the films are composed of grains dispersed in a matrix. The investigations presented herein yield a picture of PEDOT:PSS morphology with unprecedented clarity. Electron microscopy studies are used to explore the morphology of thin poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate acid (PEDOT:PSS) films. The studies reveal the granular structure of the films. Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and atomic force microscopy scans then show that the films are composed of grains with a PEDOT‐rich core dispersed in a PSS‐rich matrix.