PEDOT:PSS: From conductive polymers to sensors

Abstract

PEDOT:PSS conductive polymers have received tremendous attention over the last two decades owing to their high conductivity, ease of processing, and biocompatibility. As a flexible versatile material, PEDOT:PSS can be developed into various forms and has had a significant impact on emerging sensing applications. This review covers the development of PEDOT:PSS from material to physical sensors. We focus on the morphology of PEDOT:PSS in the forms of aqueous dispersions, solid films, and hydrogels. Manufacturing processes are summarized, including coating, printing, and lithography, and there is particular emphasis on nanoimprinting lithography that enables the production of PEDOT:PSS nanowires with superior sensing performance. Applications to various physical sensors, for humidity, temperature, pressure, and strain, are demonstrated. Finally, we discuss the challenges and propose new directions for the development of PEDOT:PSS.