Drop-cast graphene-p3ht composite for flexible electronics applied over polyethylene terephthalate obtained from one-use plastic bottles

Abstract

Abstract A graphene composite material suitable for facile drop-casting into flexible, conductive thin film electrodes from aqueous solution under ambient conditions is reported. This composite was applied to a polyethylene terephthalate substrate obtained from soda bottles. A solution of reduced graphene oxide with few layers (∼6 layers) was synthesized. The composites were prepared in two steps, first applying the reduced graphene oxide with surfactant and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) and then, solutions of poly-3-hexylthiophene with three different concentrations. Mild annealing was required only for the first step. The composite films exhibit more stability (mechanical and electrical) in bending tests when an intermediate amount of poly-3-hexylthiophene is applied. This composite is found attractive for flexible optoelectronic applications, promoting the reuse of one-use plastics.