Poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/Polystyrene Sulfonate/Dimethyl Sulfoxide-Based Conductive Fabrics for Wearable Electronics: Elucidating the Electrical Conductivity and Durability Properties through Controlled Doping and Washing Tests
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Abstract
Poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) has revolutionized the field of smart textiles as an advanced conductive polymer, offering an unprecedented combination of high electrical conductivity, solution processability, and mechanical conformability.Despite extensive research in PEDOT/PSS-coated fabrics over the past decade, a critical challenge remains in finding the delicate balance between enhanced conductivity and washing durability required for real-world wearable applications. Hence, this study investigates the electrical conductivity and durability properties of PEDOT/PSS-based conductive fabrics for wearable electronics. By carefully controlling the doping concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an optimal conductivity of 8.44 +/- 0.21 x 10-3 S cm-1 was achieved at 5% DMSO. Durability was assessed through simulated washing tests of up to 30 cycles following standardized protocols. Although the fabric's conductivity decreased from 10-3 to 10-4 S cm-1 after the 5th wash, it stabilized at approximately similar to 5.67 +/- 0.05 x 10-4 S cm-1 beyond the 30th cycle. These findings demonstrate the fabric's ability to retain its electrical properties under repeated washing, making it highly suitable for long-term use in wearable electronics. A range of characterization techniques-including attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and tensile testing-were employed to analyze the fabric's functional groups, morphology, crystallinity, conductivity, and mechanical properties. The results validate the robustness and applicability of PEDOT/PSS/DMSO fabrics for reliable performance in wearable electronic applications.
Keywords
Conductive fabric, electrical conductivity, durability, PEDOT/PSS, wearable electronic
Divisions
phartech
Funders
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) , Malaysia (600-RMC/GPK 5/3 (177/2020))
Publication Title
Journal of Polymer Materials
Volume
41
Issue
4
Publisher
Tech Science Press
Publisher Location
871 CORONADO CENTER DR, SUTE 200, HENDERSON, NV 89052 USA