Characterization of the Electrical Conductivity and Optical Transmittance of MoS₂:PEDOT:PSS Environmentally Friendly System

In this study, an aqueous nanocomposite formed from Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D MoS₂) was investigated. Nanocomposite thin films were produced by varying the volumetric concentration of PEDOT:PSS added in smaller quantities to the 2D-MoS₂ solution and were analyzed using electron microscopy techniques (TEM and SEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and the results showed an increase in the transmittance of the nanocomposite compared to pure PEDOT:PSS. Electrical characterization at ambient temperature revealed an increase of up to two orders of magnitude in electrical conductivity compared to pure PEDOT:PSS, with a maximum at a specific concentration. Measurements of electrical conductivity at low temperatures and the Mott-VRH model indicate that the polymer may be main responsible for charge transport to the nanocomposite. Further theoretical analysis using Kirchhoff’s Circuit approach are consistent with experimental data, elucidating possible avenues to explain the observed peak in electrical conductivity values. These results demonstrate the potential of this nanocomposite, which is simply produced from the mixture of the components with the advantage of being used with the most ecological and universal solvent, water, and the possibility to substitute rigid subtrates in different devices.