Formulation of Highly Electro-Conductive Thermoplastic Composites using PEDOT-based Fillers with Controlled Shape Factor

The objective of this study is to develop a new conductive thermoplastic material with superior electrical properties. Currently, conductive polymers are typically filled with carbon or metallic particles [1]. However, these filled thermoplastics exhibit drawbacks such as high rigidity, toxicity, and high viscosity [2]. An alternative approach investigated in this work is to substitute these fillers with intrinsically conductive polymers like Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). PEDOT can achieve exceptional electrical conductivities (over 1000 S.cm-1) when combined with polymeric dopants like poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and is frequently used in thin films or gels in medical and energy applications [3]. However, incorporating PEDOT into the conventional hot melt processes of the plastic industry remains challenging [1].