Abstract
A stretchable and conductive WPU/PEDOT:PSS/rGO composite was developed for wearable and long-term thermotherapy.
Highlights
The prevalence of arthritis, stiff muscles, injuries to the deep tissue of the skin and joint injuries due to aging, obesity, or occupational overuse has been a big concern in healthcare
Highly stretchable electrothermal heaters were developed by using composites of intrinsically conductive poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS), elastomeric waterborne polyurethane (WPU) and reduced graphene oxide. rGO was mixed into the PEDOT:PSS/WPU blends to improve the temperature uniformity because rGO has high thermal conductivity while the polymers have very low thermal conductivity
The peak position of the G band appears at 1604 cmÀ1 for the WPU/PEDOT:PSS/GO composite film, and it shifts to 1595 cmÀ1 after the reduction of GO by hydriodic acid (HI)
Summary
Various efforts have been made to develop stretchable electric heaters by using metallic nanoparticles or nanowires, metal grids and carbon nanotubes. Of conductive polymers, including their low cost, light weight, good processability and tunable electrical conductivity, make them excellent candidates for stretchable electric heaters.[14,15,16,17] Water-dispersible poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS, chemical structure shown in Fig. 1) is regarded as one of the conductive polymers having potential for commercial and practical applications. This is due to its facile synthesis, high conductivity, good biocompatibility, and excellent transparency in the visible range.[18,19,20,21] PEDOT:PSS films with high mechanical flexibility, and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity can be readily achieved through a convenient solution casting technique.[22,23,24]. The composite film shows stable switching behavior, and can be comfortably attached to human joints for effective thermotherapy treatments
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