In situ studies of strain dependent transport properties of conducting polymers on elastomeric substrates

We report the changes in the surface electrical resistance, R, of conducting polymer, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films coated on appropriate flexible substrates in stretched conditions. These studies are important in the context of flexible organic electronic applications. In situ conductivity measurements on pristine PEDOT:PSS thin films on elastomeric substrates upon stretching reveal a minima in R as a function of strain, x, prior to the expected increase at higher strain levels. The studies emphasize (i) role of substrates, (ii) stress-induced anisotropic features, and temperature dependence of R (iii) in comparison of R(x) in polymer films to that of conventional metal films. The stress induced changes is modeled in terms of effective medium approximation.