PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites based ultra-stretchable thermoelectrics and their application as strain sensors. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Xinyang; Shi, Jia; Hao, Yunna; Wang, Liming; Qin, Xiaohong; Yu, Jianyong
• Is Part Of: Composites communications. Volume 27(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Stretchable thermoelectrics -- PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites -- Strain sensors -- Electrospinning
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2021.100822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-2139

Abstract

Abstract: Conducting polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) based thermoelectric (TE) composites, such as poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/CNT composites, have demonstrated great potential in wearable electronics. However, the lack of stretchability for currently reported PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites hinders their practical applications. In this work, PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites based ultra-stretchable TE films were fabricated by filtrating PEDOT:PSS/CNT onto electrospun nanofiber substrate, in which polyurethane (PU) nanofiber film acted as elastic skeleton and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were used as binders between PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites and PU nanofiber substrate. The optimal electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the composite films can reach 1581 S m −1 and 35 μV K −1 at room temperature, respectively. More importantly, the fabricated PEDOT:PSS/CNT composite films exhibit superior stretchability with an extremely high fracture strain of more than 400%. In addition, PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites based strain sensors are successfully designed for detecting human motions. Our fabrication strategy promotes the design and fabrication of stretchable TE composites. Highlights: For the first time, stretchable PEDOT:PSS/CNT thermoelectric composite films were reported. The composite films exhibit an extremely high fracture strain of more than 400%. The composite films can be used as strain sensors and display the capability of detecting human motions.