BioResources (Jun 2011)
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONDUCTIVE PAPER VIA IN SITU POLYMERIZATION OF 3,4-ETHYLENEDIOXYTHIOPHENE
Abstract
Conductive paper was prepared via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in pulp suspension by using iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate (Fe(OTs)3) as both an oxidant and a dopant source. The deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on the pulp fiber surface was verified and characterized by ATR-FTIR and SEM analyses. The factors affecting the conductivity of the PEDOT-coated paper were investigated, and the preparation conditions of the conductive paper with a low resistivity and excellent environmental stability was obtained. The optimum reaction temperature and time were 60 °C and 4 h, respectively. The molar ratio of EDOT to Fe(OTs)3 of 1:1 was optimal when considering both cost and performance factors. The conductivity of the PEDOT-coated paper could be controlled by adjusting EDOT concentration. The threshold concentration of EDOT was about 3 g•L-1, and a volume resistivity as low as 5.9×103 Ω•cm could be achieved, which reached the conductivity range of an electrical conductor. The environmental stability of the PEDOT-coated conductive paper was very good due to the much higher oxidation potential of PEDOT.
