Abstract
The demand for easy-to-use portable electric devices that are combined with essential items in everyday life, such as apparel, has increased. Hence, significant research has been conducted into the development of wearable technology by fabrication of electronic devices with a textile structure based on fiber or fabric. However, the challenge to develop a fabrication method for wearable devices based on weaving or sewing technology still remains. In this study, we have proposed and fabricated a 3-D textile with two electrodes and one spacer in a single sheet of fabric, utilizing a commercial weaving machine. The two electrodes fulfil the role of electron transfer and the spacer between the electrodes circulates electrons and prevents electrical shorting. Hence, the 3-D textile could be applied to a wide range of electrochemical devices. In addition, it is possible to control the textile structure, size and quantity and change the electrode or spacer materials by replacing the thread. We applied the 3-D textile to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) which has distinctive advantages such as low manufacturing cost, esthetic appearance for interior or exterior application and high power output under relatively weak light illuminations. The 3-D textile DSSCs were fabricated through a continuous process, from manufacturing to encapsulation, using a non-volatile electrolyte and demonstrated a specific power of 1.7% (1 sun, 1.5 A.M.). The 3-D textile DSSCs were electrically connected in parallel and series by twisting, stainless steel wires, which were used as the weft, and a light-emitting diode lamp was turned on using 3-D textile DSSCs connected in series. This study represents the first stage in the development and application of wearable textile devices.
Highlights
Electrical connection in parallel and series was conducted for four 3-D textile DSSCs and an LED lamp was turned on by seven 3-D textile DSSCs
To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Summary
After dye-loading on the photoanode, non-volatile succinonitrile (SN)-based electrolyte was infiltrated onto the 3-D textile and the fabrication process was completed by sealing with polyester (PET) film using the pouching method Through this process, 3-D textile DSSCs were successfully fabricated and there is a possibility of continuous roll to roll manufacture (Fig. 3(a)). The optimized 3-D textile DSSCs with non-volatile electrolyte had a specific power of 1.7% under 1-sun illumination, as shown Fig. 4(d) (short-circuit current density, 4.63 mA cm−2; open-circuit voltage, 0.64 V; fill factor, 0.56). This represents good performance for a textile fabricated using a commercial weaving process and a viscous non-volatile electrolyte. We anticipate that our research, which demonstrates the process and fabrication of a textile, will contribute significantly to the development of textile-formed devices that can be integrated into apparel
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
