Conductive wood microfibres for smart paper through layer-by-layer nanocoating

A layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) on lignocellulose wood microfibres was used to make conductive fibres and paper. Polycations such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) were used in alternate deposition with anionic conductive polythiophene (PEDOT-PSS) to construct the multilayer nanofilms on wood microfibres. Current-voltage characterization was measured on single fibres using a Keithley probe measurement system after deposition of every PEDOT-PSS monolayer to study the electrical properties of the coating. The conductivity of the microfibres increased linearly with increasing number of bilayers of PEDOT-PSS/polycation. The measured conductivities of the coated microfibres ranged from 1 to 10 S cm(-1). It was also observed that the conductivity of the fibres (i.e., coating of PEDOT-PSS) depends upon the type of polycations used to alternate with the polythiophene. In this work we have demonstrated successful scale integration from nano to micro and macroscale (nanocoating-microfibres-macropaper) in developing new paper material. The conductive paper that has been produced (and its fabrication method) can be used for the development of smart paper technology on monitoring of electrical, and optical/electrical signals.