Conductivity measurements of individual poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) nanowires on nanoelectrodes using manipulation with an atomic force microscope

We have prepared conducting polymer nanowires of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) with diameters under 10 nm by a molecular combing method, and have measured the conductivity of the individual PEDOT nanowires on platinum nanoelectrodes using manipulation with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The temperature dependence of the conductance was explained well by a quasi-one-dimensional variable range hopping model. The conductivity of two single nanowires was determined to be 0.6 and $0.09S∕cm$⁠, which is of the same order as that of PEDOT/PSS films. After all the nanowires crossed over the nanoelectrodes were cut off with AFM manipulation, the current was drastically decreased down to the background level. These results directly indicate that the conductivity was derived from the PEDOT nanowires on the nanoelectrodes.