Fabrication and evaluation of a conductive polymer coated elastomer contact structure for woven electronic textile

This paper reported a novel innovation of electrical contact structure in flexible device technology. A coating of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as a solid electrolytic layer deposited on silicone elastomer structure is employed in composing the electrical circuit through a large area of woven electronic textile (e-textile), and functions as the electrical contact between weft and warp (interlaced) fiber ribbons. It was observed that the elastomer structure itself had no major damage after 106 cycles load test with a force of 1 N (≈100 MPa). The resistance of PEDOT:PSS coated elastomer structure in contacted with the plain PEDOT:PSS coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ribbon with a force of 10 mN was measured at about 300 Ω. These results show a promising durability and electrical transfer ability within the limitations of materials employed for reel-to-reel continuous processes. From the bending experiments using flexible sheet by weaving PET ribbon cables, the structure enhances the flexibility and stability of electrical contact in the woven e-textile better than those of the ribbons without it.