High-ampacity conductive polymer microfibers as fast response wearable heaters and electromechanical actuators. Issue 6 (14th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Jian; Mulle, Matthieu; Zhang, Yaobin; Xu, Xuezhu; Li, Er Qiang; Han, Fei; Thoroddsen, Sigurdur T.; Lubineau, Gilles
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 1238
• Page End: 1249
• Publication Date: 2016-01-14
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c5tc03380b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Conductive fibers with enhanced physical properties and functionalities are needed for a diversity of electronic devices. Abstract : Conductive fibers with enhanced physical properties and functionalities are needed for a diversity of electronic devices. Here, we report very high performance in the thermal and mechanical response of poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) microfibers when subjected to an electrical current. These fibers were made by combining the hot-drawing assisted wetspinning process with ethylene glycol doping/de-doping that can work at a current density as high as 1.8 × 10 4 A cm −2, which is comparable to that of carbon nanotube fibers. Their electrothermal response was investigated using optical sensors and verified to be as fast as 63 °C s −1 and is comparable with that of metallic heating elements (20–50 °C s −1 ). We investigated the electromechanical actuation resulted from the reversible sorption/desorption of moisture controlled by electro-induced heating. The results revealed an improvement of several orders of magnitudes compared to other linear conductive polymer-based actuators in air. Specifically, the fibers we designed here have a rapid stress generation rate (>40 MPa s −1 ) and a wide operating frequency range (up to 40 Hz). These fibers have several characteristics including fast response, low-driven voltage, good repeatability, long cycle life and high energy efficiency, favoring their use as heating elements on wearable textiles and as artificial muscles for robotics.