Conductive polymer conductor, and method for manufacturing same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conductive polymer fibers face issues with wash durability and conductivity, as the conductive polymer on the surface peels off when washed, leading to decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
A conductive polymer conductor is developed using amorphous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with an iron salt of p-toluenesulfonic acid as an oxidizing agent and dopant, adhered to a substrate like silk or synthetic fibers, using a mixed solution with ethanol that is coated and polymerized at ordinary temperature without heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conductive polymer is coated on substrate surface, then conductivity is achieved, but adhesion is poor and polymer peels off during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is preliminarily treated with a silane coupling agent before conductive polymer coating. This preliminary action creates a chemical bridge between the substrate and the conductive polymer, ensuring strong adhesion that prevents peeling during washing while maintaining conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining substrate, silane coupling agent layer, and conductive polymer layer. This composite material approach enhances the overall adhesion strength and wash durability while preserving the electrical conductivity function.
2Reliability
If conductive polymer is coated on substrate, then conductivity is achieved, but conductivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes parameters including conductive polymer concentration (0.1-10 wt%), coating thickness (1-100 nm), and silane coupling agent ratio to achieve high conductivity with minimal polymer amount. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient conductivity without excessive material usage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances adhesion and conductivity, improving wash durability and performance with electric conductivity of not less than 1×10^-2 S/cm, and maintaining high conductivity even after repeated washing.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive polymer constituted of amorphous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) added with an iron salt of p-toluenesulfonic acid as an oxidizing agent and a dopant
Implementation Method 2
the monomer of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) is polymerized by the iron salt of p-toluenesulfonic acid
Implementation Method 3
the conductive polymer is adhered to a substrate
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~2
Figure 3
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide a conductive polymer conductor that enables improvement of wash durability and conductivity and a method for manufacturing the same. [Solution] A conductive polymer conductor 10 has a conductive polymer 12 adhered to a substrate 11 and can be used, for example, as a conductive polymer electrode. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) can be cited as a preferable example of the conductive polymer 12. The conductive polymer 12 is low-crystalline with low crystallinity and is thereby made capable of being adhered uniformly to the substrate 11 and improving adhesion to the substrate 11.