Carrier transport mechanism of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) films by incorporating ZnO nanoparticles

The carrier transport mechanism of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) having ZnO nanoparticles, denoted ZnO-doped PEDOT:PSS, is investigated. Conductivity proportional to ZnO doping was observed at 300 K. The improved electrical conductivity is considered to mainly come from the mobility enhancement. The carrier mobility in ZnO-doped PEDOT:PSS samples exhibits unexpectedly strong temperature dependence, implying the domination of tunneling in the whole range of temperatures. An exhibition of high mobility of ZnO-doped PEDOT:PSS samples is attributed to a combined effect of the weak electron-phonon couplings and changes in the chemical structure of PEDOT:PSS.