Intrinsically Stretchable Electrochromic Display by a Composite Film of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and Polyurethane

Abstract

A stretchable, electrochromic film of a uniform composite of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):p-toluene sulfonic acid (PEDOT:PTS) and polyurethane (PU) (PEDOT/PU) was fabricated, and its integration with a hydrogel as a free-standing, stretchable electrochromic (EC) display was demonstrated. The PEDOT/PU composite film was prepared by the spin coating of a solution containing an EDOT monomer and PU, followed by oxidative polymerization using iron(III) tosylate at elevated temperature. The fabricated film showed reversible electrochromism without an external conductive support. The color change of the film can be used to quantify the progress of the redox reactions by means of digital camera image analysis and a custom mobile phone app.

Materials and Structures toward Soft Electronics

“…Additionally, by harvesting thermal energy, a self‐powered temperature–pressure dual sensor was demonstrated, with a temperature resolution of <0.1 K and a pressure sensitivity of 28.9 kPa −1 (Figure dii) . Other than those, CPs have found applications in a variety of soft electronic devices, such as electrochromic devices, pressure sensors, pH sensors, and supercapacitors, documenting their versatile roles in soft electronics.…”

Stretchable Conductive Polymers and Composites Based on PEDOT and PEDOT:PSS

“…PEDOT:PSS is found in many devices, including solar cells, supercapacitors, fuel cells, triboelectric and thermoelectric generators, electrochromic devices, and light‐emitting diodes ( Figure ) . The recent development of stretchable PEDOT:PSS has opened new applications in wearable electronics owing to its ease of processing and conformability to the skin .…”

“…Applications for stretchable and conductive PEDOT in energy, electronics, and biology: thermoelectrics, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, strain sensors and actuators, electrochromic devices, electronic textiles, soft robotics, electronic skin, tissue engineering, organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), and neural interfaces. Images reproduced with permission from references: Copyright 2017, Elsevier; Copyright 2013, Elsevier; Copyright 2016, Elsevier; Copyright 2014, John Wiley and Sons; Copyright 2017, American Chemical Society; Copyright 2010, American Chemical Society; Copyright 2014, Springer Nature; Copyright 2014, John Wiley and Sons; Copyright 2018, Springer Nature; and Copyright 2009, John Wiley and Sons.…”

Bioinspired Prosthetic Interfaces

“…and solution shearing for chain alignment, the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS can exceed 3000 S cm −1 . Meanwhile, the stretchability of conducting polymers could be improved by mixing with soft polymers, molecularly engineering side chains, and adding ionic liquid enhancers . A more thorough and detailed summary of the methods to enable conducting polymers with better conductivity and stretchability can be found in the review by Tee and Ouyang .…”