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Toward Stretchable Self‐Powered Sensors Based on the Thermoelectric Response of PEDOT:PSS/Polyurethane Blends
Author(s) -
Taroni Prospero J.,
Santagiuliana Giovanni,
Wan Kening,
Calado Philip,
Qiu Manting,
Zhang Han,
Pugno Nicola M.,
Palma Matteo,
StingelinStutzman Natalie,
Heeney Martin,
Fenwick Oliver,
Baxendale Mark,
Bilotti Emiliano
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201704285
Subject(s) - pedot:pss , materials science , thermoplastic polyurethane , conductive polymer , thermoelectric effect , polyurethane , elastomer , stretchable electronics , polymer blend , seebeck coefficient , ethylene glycol , self healing , nanotechnology , polymer , composite material , electronics , electrical engineering , chemical engineering , copolymer , physics , thermodynamics , engineering , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , thermal conductivity
The development of new flexible and stretchable sensors addresses the demands of upcoming application fields like internet‐of‐things, soft robotics, and health/structure monitoring. However, finding a reliable and robust power source to operate these devices, particularly in off‐the‐grid, maintenance‐free applications, still poses a great challenge. The exploitation of ubiquitous temperature gradients, as the source of energy, can become a practical solution, since the recent discovery of the outstanding thermoelectric properties of a conductive polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Unfortunately the use of PEDOT:PSS is currently constrained by its brittleness and limited processability. Herein, PEDOT:PSS is blended with a commercial elastomeric polyurethane (Lycra), to obtain tough and processable self‐standing films. A remarkable strain‐at‐break of ≈700% is achieved for blends with 90 wt% Lycra, after ethylene glycol treatment, without affecting the Seebeck voltage. For the first time the viability of these novel blends as stretchable self‐powered sensors is demonstrated.