Polycarbonate films metalized with a single component molecular conductor suited to strain and stress sensing applications

► Polycarbonate films were covered with the [Au(α-tpdt)2]0 conductor at 25 °C. ► [Au(α-tpdt)2]0 formed metallic layers with low crystallinity via a redox reaction. ► The developed films reveal a well pronounced piezo-resistive effect. ► The [Au(α-tpdt)2]0 layers with low crystallinity show attractive elastic properties. ► The developed flexible films well suited to strain and stress sensing applications.