Engineered surface for high performance electrodes on paper

Abstract

Flexible electronics have become widespread in the last decades. Due to the environmental crisis that our planet is facing, the use of sustainable materials, and less time and energy-consuming methods for the fabrication of flexible and light weight devices, have become crucial. In this context, the present study proposes a low environmental impact and scalable method for producing large-area PEDOT:PSS electrodes on standard copy paper through its surface modification. Specifically, the paper substrate is treated (through blade-coating technique) with a cellulose-based polymeric coating to close its porousness and homogenize its surface prior to the deposition of the conductive material. This cellulose-based interface allows the subsequent effective deposition of the conductive PEDOT:PSS layer, achieving an improved electrode in terms of both conductive stability and electromechanical performance. The stability of the electrode was monitored over a six-month period, and the electrodes did not suffer any ageing effects, showing stable resistance values (within the experimental error). The electrodes fabricated on engineered paper display lower (−80 %) electrical resistance. They also showed increased breaking point during strain tests (17 ± 1 % vs 9 ± 1 %) and a minor increase in resistance after 1000 bending cycles (4 % vs 9 % increase). Thus, their increased performance, stability and reproducibility opens new possibilities for wearable electronic devices.