Abstract
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has the merits of high electrical conductivity and solution processability, and can be dispersed in water. To improve the stretchability of PEDOT:PSS-based transparent electrode films, the intrinsically conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS was blended with highly stretchable nonionic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) and coated on a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. Nonionic WPU has good compatibility with PEDOT:PSS, without affecting the acidity. WPU undergoes hydrogen bonding and coulombic attractions with PEDOT:PSS. With variation of the WPU content, differences in the electrical properties, such as the sheet resistance and mechanical stretchability, of the coated thin films were observed. The film with 2.0 wt% WPU could be stretched to 400% of the electrode surface without damage to the surface of the electrode films. The WPU and TPU films both have a polyester group, which provides good adhesion between the WPU-based transparent electrodes and the TPU substrate films. A stretchable alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) device was constructed by using the water-based PEDOT:PSS/nonionic WPU composite as both the bottom and top transparent electrodes. The fabricated ACEL remained its initial luminance in the 500% stretched state.
Highlights
Numerous studies have investigated stretchable electronics because of their extensive applicability to wearable electronic devices
The PEDOT:PSS/nonionic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) solution with the optimal composition is coated on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate films
PZUnSe:Cleuctermodbee|dZdneSd:Cinusielmicobneeddruebdbeinr wsialiscopnreepraurebdbebry|PmEiDxiOngTi:PnSaSw/neoinghiotnic WPU ratio of 1:2 (ZntSro:Cdue|/TsiPliUcoFnilemr.uZbnbSe:rC).uTehmebZendSd:eCdui/nssiilliiccoonneerruubbbbeerr wcoams pproespitaerewdabsyspminix-ing in a w coated onto the PEDOT:PSS/nonionic WPU electrode film at 400 rpm for 30 s and
Summary
Numerous studies have investigated stretchable electronics because of their extensive applicability to wearable electronic devices. The amount of additive required to enhance the stretchability is excessively high, which makes the surface of the film vulnerable to moisture and other external environmental factors As another approach, polymerizing monomers to form conducting polymers with intrinsically stretchable structures has been attempted. The most common and practical way to improve the stretchability of conducting polymers is by combination with elastomers with rubber-like properties, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) [19], polyurethane (PU) [20], and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) [21] These rubbery binders have superior mechanical elasticity, but disconnect the electrical pathways because of their insulating properties. The PEDOT:PSS/nonionic WPU solution with the optimal composition is coated on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate films This assembly is suitable for wearable electronics because of the eco-friendly and harmless properties of the components [25–27]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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
