One-step wet-spinning of conducting polymer and cellulose nanofiber composites for fiber-type organic electrochemical transistors

Considering that textile-based sensors are suitable for monitoring/communicating human vital health informa-tion, organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are considered as an efficient device platform for augmenting the capabilities and effectiveness of smart textile applications in diverse areas. Herein, we investigated the fabrication process and properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (CNF) composites as active channel materials for fiber-type OECTs. Utilizing highly crystalline, mechanically rigid, and chemically robust CNFs directly extracted from biomass-derived tunicate, we fabricated PEDOT:PSS-CNF composite fibers with varying CNF portions (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 %) through a simple one-step wet-spinning process using sulfuric acid-based coagulation media. The addition of CNFs significantly improved the mechanical strength of the composite fibers with Young's modulus up to 13.4 +/- 2.1 GPa. Moreover, the fiber-type OECT devices based on the PEDOT:PSS(80 %)-CNF(20 %) composite showed highest carrier mobility (4.0 +/- 0.2 cm(2) V-1 s(-1)) with the marginal trade-off in volumetric capacitance (57.1 +/- 3.7 F/cm(3)), resulting in the decent benchmark performance parameter (mu & sdot;C*) of 229 F cm(-1) V-1 s(-1). Our findings suggest that the synergistic interaction between PEDOT:PSS and CNFs leads to a significant improve-ment in fiber properties, and the resulting composite fibers hold great potentials for use in eco-friendly wearable/ textile electronics.

Automated summary

This study investigated the fabrication process and properties of fiber-type organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). By utilizing composite fibers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (CNF), the mechanical strength of the fibers was significantly improved, leading to higher carrier mobility. These findings suggest great potential for eco-friendly wearable/textile electronics.