High cycling stability and well printability poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites via in situ polymerization applied on electrochromic display

A high cycling stability material and an additive manufacturing method are reported for the fabrication of solid electrochromic devices. The poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PEDOT:PSS/MWCNT) nanocomposites were synthesized via in situ polymerization. A carboxymethyl cellulose gel was used as the ink vehicle for screen printing. The electrochromic (EC) performance of films patterned by screen printing was also examined. The results of characterization indicate that strong interfacial interactions occurred between PEDOT:PSS and the MWCNTs and the MWCNTs formed a network in these conducting polymers film, so the composite was more conductive than pure PEDOT:PSS. Devices containing PEDOT:PSS/MWCNTs were more stable after 1000 cycles, exhibited higher rate of ion exchange and faster increases in current. The composite containing 0.3 wt % MWCNTs also had a 23% higher color contrast (Δ E *) than pure PEDOT:PSS at 2.5 V applied voltages. The EC inks with well printability not only can be used to print large area films, but also can print fine lines and pixel-type dots in displays. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 45943.