Preparation of PEDOT/Cu composite film by in situ redox reaction between EDOT and copper(II) chloride

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/copper (PEDOT/Cu) composites were prepared by an in situ redox reaction of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and copper(II) chloride. During the reaction, EDOT was oxidatively polymerized by Cu(II) chloride, while the Cu(II) ions were reduced to produce Cu metal particles. PEDOT/Cu composite films were also successfully prepared on CuCl2-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films by the vapor phase polymerization of EDOT. PEDOT/Cu films were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the formation of PEDOT, and the presence of metallic Cu particles.