A Self-Powered Flexible Thermoelectric Sensor and Its Application on the Basis of the Hollow PEDOT:PSS Fiber

Abstract

The thermoelectric (TE) fiber, based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), which possesses good flexibility, a low cost, good environmental stability and non-toxicity, has attracted more attention due to its promising applications in energy harvesting. This study presents a self-powered flexible sensor based on the TE properties of the hollow PEDOT:PSS fiber. The hollow structure of the fiber was synthesized using traditional wet spinning. The sensor was applied to an application for finger touch, and showed both long-term stability and good reliability towards external force. The sensor had a high scalability and was simple to develop. When figures touched the sensors, a temperature difference of 6 °C was formed between the figure and the outside environment. The summit output voltages of the sensors with 1 to 5 legs gradually increased from 90.8 μV to 404 μV. The time needed for the output voltage to reach 90% of its peak value is only 2.7 s. Five sensors of legs ranging from 1 to 5 were used to assemble the selector. This study may provide a new proposal to produce a self-powered, long-term and stable skin sensor, which is suitable for wearable devices in personal electronic fields.

Recent progress on PEDOT:PSS based polymer blends and composites for flexible electronics and thermoelectric devices

“…At present, there are very few studies on the preparation of self-powered flexible wearable electronics using PEDOT:PSS composites based on the Seebeck effect. For instance, flexible self-powered midinfrared detectors, 192 self-powered pressure sensors, 193,194 selfpowered touch sensors, 195 and self-powered strain sensor 108 have been developed based on PEDOT:PSS composites. However, since PEDOT:PSS lacks stretchability, elastomers are often used to enhance the stretchability.…”

New Progress on Fiber-Based Thermoelectric Materials: Performance, Device Structures and Applications

“…When the finger touched different points, the thermal sensor array achieved a quadrant location of the thermal source by the sign of the different voltage, as shown in Figure 7 g [ 113 ]. In addition, Ruan et al presented a figure self-powered flexible sensor based on the hollow PEDOT:PSS fibers, which were encapsulated on a low thermal conductivity polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer [ 115 ]. Additionally, the flexible sensor achieved a highly selective response of about 2.7 s and provided a discriminant output voltage between human skin and the environment, as shown in Figure 7 h [ 115 ].…”

“…In addition, Ruan et al presented a figure self-powered flexible sensor based on the hollow PEDOT:PSS fibers, which were encapsulated on a low thermal conductivity polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer [ 115 ]. Additionally, the flexible sensor achieved a highly selective response of about 2.7 s and provided a discriminant output voltage between human skin and the environment, as shown in Figure 7 h [ 115 ]. Additionally, a touch panel was fabricated by 10 TE fibers, which were easily woven into a patch of cross-stitch, as shown in Figure 7 i [ 13 ].…”

Progress in the Applications of Smart Piezoelectric Materials for Medical Devices

“…Piezoelectric applications, which include interfaces with biological structures, represent a pioneering rapid development [17,18]. Actuators and sensors also play a significant role in different practical applications [19,20], what is illustrated in Figure 1. In general, sensors transform mechanical energy into electrical energy.…”

“…Actuators and sensors also play a significant role in different practical applications [19,20], what is illustrated in Figure 1. In general, sensors transform mechanical energy into electrical energy.…”