Inkjet-printed PEDOT:PSS/SWCNTs on Paper: Substrate Effects on Conductivity

Abstract

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate), or PEDOT:PSS, and singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were incorporated into an inkjet ink. The combination of PEDOT, a conjugated, conductive polymer, and highly conductive CNTs, yielded a conductive film after printing and curing of the ink. Several paper types were used as substrates for depositing printed patterns of the PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT ink. Wide variability in conductivity was observed for different commercial paper types, ranging from a maximum 0.9 S/cm on Epson ® Premium Photo cast-coated glossy paper to 3 × 10 -5 S/cm on Epson ® Premium Presentation coated cardstock. Increasing the SWCNT content of the ink improved conductivity on a non-permeable cellulose acetate substrate to a point, after which the combined effects of ink filtration and jetting limited the number of nanotubes delivered to the substrate. On permeable paper, the irregularity of the substrate overcame the beneficial effects of SWCNTs as "bridges" between conductive PEDOT regions. Correlations between the substrates' physical structure and conductivity were established for the printed sheets, with densely coated sheets presenting the highest conductivity, and porous sheets the lowest.

Thermally Laminated Lighting Textile for Wearable Displays with High Durability

“…In recent years, there have been some studies on direct integration of ACEL devices on planar fabrics. − Among the various techniques, printing, such as screen printing, inkjet printing, dispensing printing, etc., is the most used technique for ACEL fabrication on fabrics. In the author’s group, ACEL devices have been fabricated on elastic fabrics by using a layer-by-layer screen printing process, achieving high brightness and excellent durability .…”