A light–emission textile device: conformal spray-sintering of a woven fabric electrode. (20th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lanz, T; Sandström, A; Tang, S; Chabrecek, P; Sonderegger, U; Edman, L
• Is Part Of: Flexible and printed electronics. Volume 1:Number 2(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-05-20
• Subjects: flexible electrodes -- light-emitting electrochemical cells -- spray coating -- fabric; Flexible electronics -- Periodicals; Printed electronics -- Periodicals; Flexible electronics; Printed electronics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.381
• DOI: 10.1088/2058-8585/1/2/025004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2058-8585

Abstract

Abstract: We report on the realization of an ultra-flexible, light-weight and large-area emissive textile device. The anode and active material of a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) were deposited by conformal spray-coating of a transparent fabric-based electrode, comprising a weave of fine Ag-coated Cu wires and poly(ethylene naphthalene) monofilament fibers embedded in a polyurethane matrix. The yellow-emitting textile featured low turn-on voltage (5 V), high maximum brightness (>4000 cd m −2 ), good efficiency (3.4 cd A −1 ), and reasonable lifetime (180 h at >100 cd m −2 ). Uniform emission to the eye was attained from thin and highly flexible textiles featuring a large emission area of 42 cm 2, without resorting to planarization of the partially wavy-shaped (valley-to-peak height = 2.7 μ m) fabric electrode. The key enabling factors for the functional emissive textile are the characteristic in situ electrochemical doping of LEC devices, the 'dry' spray-sintering deposition of the active material, and the attractive mechanical, electronic and optical properties of the fabric-based electrode.