Micro-patterning of vapor-phase polymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) using ink-jet printing/soft lithography

Highly conductive and transparent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films can be prepared effectively via vapor-phase polymerization (VPP) with the addition of imidazole (Im) based derivatives. The addition of Im that has one and/or two alkyl substituents significantly improved the electrical conductivity of PEDOT thin films. In an effort to develop a facile PEDOT micro-patterning method, we investigated ink-jet printing and soft lithography. The procedure of oxidant patterning with a weak base followed by VPP of a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer provides an effective and simple method for micro-patterning of an intrinsic conductive polymer (ICP).