DVS‐Crosslinked PEDOT:PSS Free‐Standing and Textile Electrodes toward Wearable Health Monitoring

© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Conducting polymer electrodes based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) present many advantages for biological signal recording over traditional metal electrodes and are being steadily evaluated in health monitoring applications. A main requirement for wearable electrodes based on PEDOT:PSS is that selected additives, such as crosslinking agents, avoid the redispersion of the polymer or its postprocess delamination. In this work, a novel approach is presented to fabricate water stable conducting free-standing films and textile electrodes by using a divinyl sulfone (DVS) crosslinker. As opposed to pristine and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPS)-crosslinked formulations, the stability of the conducting PEDOT:PSS/DVS is achieved without reducing its conductivity or an extreme stiffening of its mechanical properties. PEDOT:PSS/DVS formulation is easily processed on any substrate and forms low surface resistance free-standing or textiles electrodes. Electrochemical and stretchable properties of the PEDOT:PSS/DVS in air and in an aqueous environment are demonstrated and its performance in recordings of electrophysiological signals such as electrocardiography is evaluated. This three-component material shows great potential for making wearable and humidity stable devices in healthcare applications. Furthermore, it can also be highly attractive for the development of washable electroactive textiles.