The effect of co‐dopants on the processability of intrinsically conducting polymers

Using a combination of functionalized dopants was found to be a simple method to improve the processability of intrinsically conducting polymers while retaining relatively high levels of conductivity. Two intrinsically conducting polymers, poly(3‐octylthiophene) and polyaniline were co‐doped with various combinations of dopants. In both systems, solubility was improved and coherent films were formed directly from common organic solvents without the need for a post‐processing doping step. Co‐doped intrinsically conducting polymer films exhibited conductivities up to 10−2 S/cm. Additionally, certain polyaniline complexes were capable of being melt processed without loss of conductivity.