Chemical reaction converts styrofoam into PEDOT:PSS, a high-value conducting polymer for electronics

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-styrofoam-polymers-electronics.html

"PEDOT:PSS has both electronic, ionic conductivity... sulfonating polystyrene using reagent efficient enough but doesn't mess up polymer chain... 1,3-Disulfonic acid imidazolium chloride... high polymer sulfonation, minimal defects, high efficiency, all while using eco-friendly mild sulfonating agent... varying stoichiometric ratios of starting materials during reaction changing degree of sulfonation,.. upscale into electronic devices including silicon-based hybrid solar cells, organic electrochemical transistors"