PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites based ultra-stretchable thermoelectrics and their application as strain sensors

Conducting polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) based thermoelectric (TE) composites, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/CNT composites, have demonstrated great potential in wearable electronics. However, the lack of stretchability for currently reported PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites hinders their practical applications. In this work, PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites based ultra-stretchable TE films were fabricated by filtrating PEDOT:PSS/CNT onto electrospun nanofiber substrate, in which polyurethane (PU) nanofiber film acted as elastic skeleton and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were used as binders between PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites and PU nanofiber substrate. The optimal electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the composite films can reach 1581 S m(-1) and 35 mu V K-1 at room temperature, respectively. More importantly, the fabricated PEDOT:PSS/CNT composite films exhibit superior stretchability with an extremely high fracture strain of more than 400%. In addition, PEDOT:PSS/CNT composites based strain sensors are successfully designed for detecting human motions. Our fabrication strategy promotes the design and fabrication of stretchable TE composites.

Automated summary

This study fabricates ultra-stretchable thermoelectric films based on polymer/carbon nanotube composites, showing superior electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, with great potential for practical applications. The aim is to promote the design and fabrication of stretchable thermoelectric composites.