Open Access

ARTICLE

Poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/Polystyrene Sulfonate/Dimethyl Sulfoxide-Based Conductive Fabrics for Wearable Electronics: Elucidating the Electrical Conductivity and Durability Properties through Controlled Doping and Washing Tests

Muhammad Faiz Aizamddin^1,2,*, Nazreen Che Roslan², Ayu Natasha Ayub², Awis Sukarni Mohmad Sabere³, Zarif Mohamed Sofian⁴, Yee Hui Robin Chang⁵, Mohd Ifwat Mohd Ghazali^6,7, Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni⁸, Mohamad Arif Kasri⁹, Muhamad Saipul Fakir¹⁰, Mohd Muzamir Mahat^2,*
1 Group Research and Technology, PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd., Kawasan Institusi Bangi, Kajang, 43000, Malaysia
2 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, 40450, Malaysia
3 Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, 25200, Malaysia
4 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
5 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Malaysia
6 SMART RG, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, 71800, Malaysia
7 Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
8 Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
9 Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, 25200, Malaysia
10 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Johor Kampus Pasir Gudang, Masai, 81750, Malaysia
* Corresponding Author: Muhammad Faiz Aizamddin. Email: ; Mohd Muzamir Mahat. Email:

Journal of Polymer Materials https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2024.057420

Received 17 August 2024; Accepted 31 October 2024; Published online 21 November 2024

Abstract

Poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) has revolutionized the field of smart textiles as an advanced conductive polymer, offering an unprecedented combination of high electrical conductivity, solution processability, and mechanical conformability. Despite extensive research in PEDOT/PSS-coated fabrics over the past decade, a critical challenge remains in finding the delicate balance between enhanced conductivity and washing durability required for real-world wearable applications. Hence, this study investigates the electrical conductivity and durability properties of PEDOT/PSS-based conductive fabrics for wearable electronics. By carefully controlling the doping concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an optimal conductivity of 8.44 ± 0.21 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ was achieved at 5% DMSO. Durability was assessed through simulated washing tests of up to 30 cycles following standardized protocols. Although the fabric’s conductivity decreased from 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ after the 5th wash, it stabilized at approximately ~5.67 ± 0.05 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ beyond the 30th cycle. These findings demonstrate the fabric’s ability to retain its electrical properties under repeated washing, making it highly suitable for long-term use in wearable electronics. A range of characterization techniques—including attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman analysis, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and tensile testing—were employed to analyze the fabric’s functional groups, morphology, crystallinity, conductivity, and mechanical properties. The results validate the robustness and applicability of PEDOT/PSS/DMSO fabrics for reliable performance in wearable electronic applications.

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Keywords

Conductive fabric; electrical conductivity; durability; PEDOT/PSS; wearable electronic

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