Abstract Conducting polymers (CPs), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films, have shown excellent applications in the field of flexible electronics. In most cases, conductivity-enhancement reagents, such as popular dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been demonstrated as necessary additives. However, their effects on the self-healing performances of such films were still unknown. Here, effects of these reagents as well as inorganic concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) on the water-induced mechanical and electronic (conductive and thermoelectric) self-healing properties of PEDOT:PSS films were studied and corresponding mechanisms were illustrated. Meanwhile, analogous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxyselenophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOS:PSS) film was investigated as a contrast. Treatment by EG showed 98 % recovery of conductivity and significantly reduced crack width after healing, while H2SO4 post-treatment only improved the self-healing of mechanical properties but significantly weakened the electrical properties. PEG or DMSO treatment showed negative influence on the self-healing of PEDOTs:PSS films. Since flexible electronic applications of PEDOTs:PSS films are highly inseparable from various additives or post-treatment, this initial research will help to clarify and optimize the synergy between electronic and self-healing behaviors.

中文翻译：

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导电增强剂对PEDOT:PSS薄膜自修复性能的影响

摘要 导电聚合物（CPs），聚（3,4-亚乙基二氧噻吩）：聚（苯乙烯磺酸盐）（PEDOT：PSS）薄膜，在柔性电子领域表现出优异的应用。在大多数情况下，电导增强试剂，如流行的二甲基亚砜 (DMSO)、乙二醇 (EG) 和聚乙二醇 (PEG) 已被证明是必要的添加剂。然而，它们对此类薄膜自愈性能的影响尚不清楚。在这里，研究了这些试剂以及无机浓硫酸 (H2SO4) 对 PEDOT:PSS 薄膜的水致机械和电子（导电和热电）自修复性能的影响，并说明了相应的机制。同时，类似的聚（3,4-亚乙基二氧基硒吩）：聚（苯乙烯磺酸盐）（PEDOS：PSS) 薄膜作为对比进行了研究。EG 处理显示电导率恢复 98%，愈合后裂纹宽度显着减小，而 H2SO4 后处理仅改善了机械性能的自愈合，但显着削弱了电性能。PEG 或 DMSO 处理对 PEDOTs:PSS 薄膜的自修复有负面影响。由于 PEDOTs:PSS 薄膜的柔性电子应用与各种添加剂或后处理密不可分，这项初步研究将有助于阐明和优化电子和自愈行为之间的协同作用。PEG 或 DMSO 处理对 PEDOTs:PSS 薄膜的自修复有负面影响。由于 PEDOTs:PSS 薄膜的柔性电子应用与各种添加剂或后处理密不可分，这项初步研究将有助于阐明和优化电子和自愈行为之间的协同作用。PEG 或 DMSO 处理对 PEDOTs:PSS 薄膜的自修复有负面影响。由于 PEDOTs:PSS 薄膜的柔性电子应用与各种添加剂或后处理密不可分，这项初步研究将有助于阐明和优化电子和自愈行为之间的协同作用。