High-Stability PEDOT Dispersions via In Situ Polymerization Based on Sulfated Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is widely utilized in flexible electronics, energy storage, and sensors for its excellent conductivity and stability. However, the primary limitation of PEDOT is its poor dispersibility in aqueous systems due to the aggregation driven by hydrophobic groups in the polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) backbone, which restricts its conductivity. To address this challenge, we designed sulfated poly(vinyl alcohol) (SPVA), which features a hydrophilic backbone and serves as an alternative to PSS, thereby enhancing the dispersibility of PEDOT in aqueous systems. This approach achieves a 2.4-fold increase in dispersibility and a 3.2-fold boost in conductivity compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, these dispersions demonstrate outstanding printability on various substrates, highlighting their potential as conductive inks for printed electronics.