Improving the performance of ITO thin films by coating PEDOT:PSS

This work studies the effect of PEDOT:PSS on electrical, optical and mechanical properties of ITO glass. Various thickness PEDOT:PSS films are deposited on ITO glass by spin coating. The sheet resistance, transmittance, surface roughness, residual stress, friction, and critical load of the coated specimens are tested in sequence. We find that PEDOT:PSS films not only improve the electric performance but also increase the adhesion of ITO glass. The experimental results show that the PEDOT:PSS film improves the surface roughness and then results in a lower electric resistance. It also increases the adhesion and reduces the residual stress of the ITO films. Furthermore, only 1% transmittance is lost due to the PEDOT:PSS film, showing the potential in the applications of organic photovoltaic cells and light-emitting diodes.