I have grown thin films (~100-500 nm) of PEDOT:PSS by electrodeposition on top of thin films of Au (~1 nm) and now I want to measure the impedance of the PEDOT:PSS thin film.
To accomplish this I am thinking of depositing another layer of Au (or another conducting metal) on top of the PEDOT:PSS for it to act as a capacitor and use 4 probe method to measure its impedance.
However I am apprehensive that by using a magnetron sputtering technique to deposit Au on top of the PEDOT:PSS thin film will alter its properties, rendering the impedance measurements not viable.
I can also do IBD deposition of Au, but I think this will be worse. I could also electrodeposit Au, however in doing that I needed to apply a negative potential which would reduce the deposited PEDOT:PSS rendering it non-conductive.
Opinions on how to deposit a conducting (can be very thin) layer on top of PEDOT:PSS without interfering with it ?
Thank you for your time.
Dear Henrique Teixeira , I think magnetron sputtering of gold shouldn´t interfere or change your PEDOT:PSS film. Argon plasma is directed towards the gold target, and therefore implantation of argon on your PEDOT:PSS should be negligible and therefore it would mantain its electrical properties.
I wonder if your thin films of Au (just 1nm thick) could cause problems due to holes.
The combination of both PEDOT:PSS and gold sputtering has already been described in publications, for instance:
https://aran.library.nuigalway.ie/bitstream/handle/10379/15021/Fractal_form_PEDOTAu_assemblies_as_thin-film_neural_interface_materials.pdf?sequence=1
Thermal evaporation of gold is another option that shouldn´t damage or change the PEDOT:PSS layer:
Article Stability of PEDOT:PSS‐Coated Gold Electrodes in Cell Cultur...
Hope it helps.
I will suggest silver ink (or similar), it is a simple alternative.
Dear Henrique Teixeira I agree with Manuel Gómez regarding the use of thermal evaporation. However, if you can only sputter Gold then you could consider a two-stage coating, consisting of: (i) a thin low-energy and higher Ar pressure sputtered coated layer, followed by, (ii) a thicker Au layer using your typical Au sputter coating process. With this approach any high-energy activity will be directed at the initial layer, from (i), rather than your more sensitive PEDOT:PSS layer. In the past I have successfully used this two-stage sputter coating process with thin Al2O3 oxides layers to good effect.
Good luck.
Dear Henrique Teixeira,
I share the same opinion as you.
Good explanation, well done!
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