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Electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole and Cu‐plated nylon/spandex for electrotherapeutic pad electrode
Author(s) -
Kim Seong Hun,
Oh Kyung Wha,
Bahk Jae Hyon
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.13625
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , polypyrrole , conductive polymer , electrical conductor , electrode , polymerization , conductivity , plating (geology) , polymer , chemistry , geophysics , geology
Electroconductive fabrics were prepared to improve the properties of conductive electrode pad material used for electrotherapy when it is subjected to various movements of the human body. Highly stretchable and conductive fabrics were prepared by in situ electrochemical polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy) on nylon/spandex stretchable fabric in aqueous solutions with 0.05 M pyrrole and 0.05 M anthraquinone‐2‐sulfonic acid, sodium salt monohydrate (AQSA) at room temperature for 2 h. Electroless Cu plating was also applied after chemical polymerization of PPy to improve the conductivity of the fabric pad. Performance of prepared stretchable conductive fabric pad was evaluated in terms of conductivity changes as a function of extension and continuous current application time, and clinical test. As a result, the fabric conductivity was well maintained with extension up to 60% and prolonged treatment time over 30 min. The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was observed with prepared TENS pad in this study and conventional TENS pad for medical use. The significant effect of TENS was observed with a pad made of conductive fabric by Cu plating and a conventional TENS pad ( P < 0.05, respectively). Even though the efficiency of an experimental pad made of fabric composite with electrochemically polymerized PPy was not as good as conventional TENS pad for medical use in this experiment, it can possibly be used for other applications where relatively low‐strength electrical pulse is required. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 4064–4071, 2004