Fully mass printed loudspeakers on paper

We report on the first fully mass printed large-area piezoelectric loudspeakers on paper. All functional layers were printed by means of flexography, alternatively screen and stencil printing, on conventional paper without any surface modification. We used polymers for the electrodes (poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene)/poly(4-styrenesulfonate, PEDOT:PSS)) as well as the piezoelectric layer (poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluorethylene), P(VDF-TrFE)). It could be demonstrated that low-cost devices for mass markets can be realized successfully with the developed technology and process. Besides technical challenges, electrical and acoustic properties of printed speakers are investigated, taking the mechanical properties of the substrate and size of the active piezoelectric area into account. A sound pressure level up to 80 dB could be achieved.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Fully mass printed loudspeaker on paper. ► Piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE) sandwiched between PEDOT:PSS electrodes. ► Polarization by stepwise contact poling. ► Sound pressure level suitable for real sound applications.