Thin films (50-400 nm) of tosylate-doped poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxy-thiophene)
(PEDOT) on various substrates have been studied by grazing incidence X-ray
diffraction, using synchrotron radiation.
The material was found to be highly anisotropic. This is correlated with a
strong anisotropy observed in its optical and electronic properties. The cr
ystalline order is limited, and evidence is found for a paracrystalline str
ucture. A structural model is presented, which corroborates with the optica
l anisotropy.
The effect of heating the material to 200 degrees C was studied. Unlike the
situation for other substituted polythiophenes, heating PEDOT increases th
e crystalline order.