Universal Stretchable\nConductive Cellulose/PEDOT:PSS\nHybrid Films for Low Hysteresis Multifunctional Stretchable Electronics

Abstract

Skin-attachable conductive materials have attracted significant\nattention for use in wearable devices and physiological monitoring\napplications. Soft, skin-like conductive films must have excellent\nmechanical and electrical characteristics with on-skin conformability,\nstretchability, and robustness to detect body motion and biological\nsignals. In this study, a conductive, stretchable, hydro-biodegradable,\nand highly robust cellulose/poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene\nsulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid film is fabricated. Through the synergetic\ninterplay of a conductivity enhancer, nonionic fluorosurfactant, and\nsurface modifier, the mechanical and electrical properties of the\nstretchable hybrid film are greatly improved. The stretchable cellulose/PEDOT:PSS\nhybrid film achieves a limited resistance change of only 1.21-fold\nafter 100 stretch–release cycles (30% strain) with exceptionally\nlow hysteresis, demonstrating its great potential as a stretchable\nelectrode for stretchable electronics. In addition, the film shows\nexcellent biodegradability, promising environmental friendliness,\nand safety benefits. High-performance stretchable cellulose/PEDOT:PSS\nhybrid films, which have high biocompatibility and sensitivity, are\napplied to human skin to serve as on-skin multifunctional sensors.\nThe conformally mounted on-skin sensors are capable of continuously\nmonitoring human physiological signals, such as body motions, drinking,\nrespiration rates, vocalization, humidity, and temperature, with high\nsensitivity, fast responses, and low power consumption (21 μW).\nThe highly conductive hybrid films developed in this study can be\nintegrated as both stretchable electrodes and multifunctional healthcare\nmonitoring sensors. We believe that the highly robust stretchable,\nconductive, biodegradable, skin-attachable cellulose/PEDOT:PSS hybrid\nfilms are worthy candidates as promising soft conductive materials\nfor stretchable electronics.