Highly stretchable electrospun conducting polymer nanofibers

Abstract

Biomedical electronics research targets both wearable and biocompatible electronic devices easily adaptable to specific functions. To achieve such goals, stretchable organic electronic materials are some of the most intriguing candidates. Herein, we develop highly stretchable poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiphene) (PEDOT) doped with tosylate (PEDOT:Tos) nanofibers. A two-step process involving electrospinning of a carrier polymer (with oxidant) and vapor phase polymerization was used to produce fibers on a polydimethylsiloxane substrate. The fibers can be stretched up to 140% of the initial length maintaining high conductivity.