PEDOT:PSS/AgNWs nanofibers obtained by electrospun and the post-treatment via DMSO vapor exposure

The performance of electrospun nanofibers can be improved by chemical treatments, adding a conducting nanomaterial to its matrix, or even with post-thermal treatments. Central Composite Design (CCD) was used in this work to produce and evaluate electrospun nanofibers of PEDOT:PSS/AgNWs. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) vapor post-treatment was applied to the nanofibers network to improve the films’ electrical conductivity. The DMSO post-treatment induced a chemical welding on PEDOT:PSS/AgNWs nanofibers and an enormous change to the nanofiber’s morphology. PEDOT:PSS/AgNWs fibers with 53 nm were obtained, and the application of the DMSO post-treatment induced an expressive change in sheet electrical resistance values starting from 90,000 kΩ∕sq and reducing to 600 kΩ∕sq.