Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been recently proposed for Raman sensing of redox-active species in solution. Here, we investigated the rationale of this approach through systematic experiments, in which the Raman spectrum of PEDOT:PSS was analyzed in the presence of either nonoxidizing or oxidizing electrolytes. The results demonstrated that Raman spectra precisely reflect the conformation of PEDOT units and their interactions with PSS. Two different responses were observed. In the case of oxidizing electrolytes, the effect of charge transfer is accurately transduced in Raman spectrum changes. On the other hand, reduction induces a progressive separation between the PEDOT and PSS chains, which decreases their mutual interaction. This stimulus determines characteristic variations in the intensity, shape, and position of the Raman spectra. However, we demonstrated that the same effects can be obtained either by increasing the concentration of nonoxidizing electrolytes or by deprotonating PSS chains. This poses severe limitations to the use of PEDOT:PSS for this type of Raman sensing. This study allows us to revise most of the Raman results reported in the literature with a clear model, setting a new basis for investigating the dynamics of mixed electronic/ionic charge transfer in conductive polymers.
Keywords: PEDOT:PSS; Raman; charge transfer; electrolyte; ion diffusion dynamics; optical sensors; saline buffers.