Modeling the electrical conductivity of MoS₂ and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites thin films obtained in an environmentally friendly system

Abstract We present a study of the optoelectrical properties of thin films prepared from two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) and the conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) mixtures produced by varying the volumetric concentration of the materials in aqueous solution. The lower concentrations of PEDOT:PSS in the nanocomposite resulted in an increase in the transmittance of the films compared to those of pure PEDOT:PSS. The films presented a stable good morphology when analyzed using electron microscopy transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy . The electrical properties studied at low and ambient temperatures revealed an increase of up to two orders of magnitude in electrical conductivity compared to pure PEDOT:PSS, with a maximum at a specific concentration. The application of the Mott-VRH model indicated that the polymer is responsible for charge transport even at low concentration. Further theoretical analysis using Kirchhoff’s circuit approach is consistent with experimental data, elucidating possible avenues to explain the observed peak in electrical conductivity values.