Solvent Retention and Crack Evolution in Dropcast PEDOT:PSS and Dependence on Surface Wetting.

The drying of nanocolloidal polymers is governed by the interplay among surface tension, evaporation, and contact-line pinning, among other phenomena. Here, we describe the sequential evolution of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) through two distinct regimes evidenced by annular or radial cracking and show that the cracking dynamics and solvent-retention postdrying and postcracking are mediated by wetting to the substrate surface. The corresponding changes in the PEDOT:PSS morphology are also observed to relate to the radial or cracking dynamics. It is suggested that the wetting-dependent effect offers a route to control morphology, understand solvent retention, and reduce cracking in polymer latex films. This study highlights the importance of substrate choice, an underexplored area of investigation in the study of colloidal materials.