Large electrically induced height and volume changes in poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) /poly(styrenesulfonate) thin films

We demonstrate large, partly reversible height and volume changes of thin films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on the anode of interdigitating gold electrodes under ambient conditions by applying an electrical bias. The height and volume changes were monitored with optical and atomic force microscopy and are found to be independent of initial film thickness. In the first cycle, a relative height change of 950% is observed for a 21 nm thick film. Two regimes are identified. In the first regime, reversible redox reactions occur and reversible height changes can be ascribed to absorption of water via osmotic effects, brought about by an increasing ion concentration on the anode. In the second, irreversible regime, irreversible overoxidation of the PEDOT occurs and mass transport from the channel to the anode becomes important.