Conductive Fabric Responding to Extremely Small Temperature Changes

This paper presents a conductive fabric with temperature sensing capability. A polycarbonate film covered with the thin layer of the molecular semiconductor α’-(BEDT-TTF)2IxBr3-x was used as a sensing component; the resistance of α’-(BEDT-TTF)2IxBr3-x-based layer changes as 250-300 Ω/cm2 per degree; BEDT-TTF=bis(ethylendithio)- tetrathiafulvalene. Due to the low mass of the layer of organic molecular semiconductor and its good thermal conductivity, such temperature sensor reacts quickly towards thermal changes. The film was successfully embedded on the surface of a polyester textile obtaining a conductive fabric that responds fast and in a reversible manner to extremely small temperature changes. Such composite textiles can be easily prepared at low cost and they are compatible with printing techniques. This work strongly contributes on the ongoing research of developing smart textiles for their biomedical applications.