Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): Poly(styrenesulfonate)/Carbon Nanotube-Coated Electrically Conducting Fabrics With High Strain Sensitivity

Abstract

Knitted fabrics are widely used in smart textiles due to their great elasticity and reversibility, which make them good platforms for multifunctional fabrics, such as wearable strain sensors. In this study, a new method to make high strain-sensing knitted fabrics was proposed by coating the carbon nanotube solution first and then spraying the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution on 1 × 1 rib knitted fabric. The results showed that 0.1 wt% PEDOT:PSS/3 wt% carbon nanotube-coated knitted fabrics exhibited the best comprehensive performance. Their gauge factor reached 18.3 in the linear rising strain stage and showed excellent stability in cyclic stretching with a strain of 5%. Furthermore, the knitted fabric strain sensor exhibited a quick and precise response to the knee joint motion detection, demonstrating its potential in wearable applications.