Wearable electronics has seen a tremendous growth in the recent years. Conducting polymers such as poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) known to be a conductor of both ionic and electric current has been used in applications such as organic transistors, optoelectronic devices and photovoltaic devices. In this study, commercially available PEDOT:PSS has been shown to function as organic wires with current carrying capacities approaching that of copper. Firstly, a simple circuit containing of PEDOT:PSS resistors and PEDOT:PSS wires was fabricated on polyester (PET) nonwoven textile with the measured resistance of the circuit matching with calculated values using Kirchoff’s rules. Secondly,to demonstrate the practical application of the PEDOT:PSS wires, electrocardiogram(ECG) signal was measured with screen printed PEDOT:PSS wires with Ag/AgCl electrodes resulting in a signal comparable to Ag/AgCl electrodes connected with copper wires. Thirdly,electrocardiogram signal was recorded with screen printed PEDOT:PSS electrodes on nonwoven PET in dry skin condition without the use of hydrogel or adhesive around the electrode. The obtained signal showed the characteristics of ECG waveform and the amplitude of the ECG signal increased on preparing the skin with common moisturizing lotion. PEDOT:PSS wires were then combined with PEDOT:PSS electrodes and ECG signal was recorded at rest. Finally, a prototype shirt was developed with PEDOT:PSS electrodes for measuring ECG signal under exercise. The signal was recorded in dry skin conditions and showed an increase in amplitude on increase in intensity of exercise as a result of transpiration of water vapor from skin. This easy to fabricate metal free approach of fabrication of organic electrodes finds application in healthcare, gaming and military.

Conducting polymers as materials for wearable electronics and its application as biopotential electrodes

255th National Meeting (2018)

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