Method for Inkjet-printing PEDOT:PSS polymer electrodes on piezoelectric PVDF-TrFE fibers

Abstract

We present a method for printing conductive polymers onto P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers to create all-polymer piezoelectric devices. Inkjet printing is an attractive fabrication approach for rapid prototyping of flexible electronics, but until now with limited applications in developing P(VDF-TrFE) nanofiber-based devices. We have demonstrated an approach to infill the void space within a piezoelectric nanofibrous matrix to allow for the inkjet printing of aqueous inks while avoiding leakage that typically leads to electrical shorting and without significant loss of voltage output. This was done using a diluted PDMS solution and a commercially available conductive ink. The 1 cm2 devices showed peak-peak voltages greater than 0.5 V and a 259 mV/N sensitivity. Using these techniques, flexible piezoelectric sensing can be done in an array format, paving the way for unique forms of wearable physical biomarker sensing.