Optimal microheater Patterns with PEDOT:PSS conductors for flexible sensor applications

Abstract

This paper continues the study in the field of microheaters on flexible substrates. The idea of using flexible substrates comes together with the need for low manufacturing costs, having in mind the applications of sensors for home usage and other possible applications as monitors for buildings or basements where possible toxic gases can be accumulated, for instance mathane, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. In the current paper we propose the use of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrenesulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) as active heating element. The data from literature and our previous experiments have proven that this material can be used as resistive material having the possibility to operate within the desired range of temperatures for sensor applications, between 80 and 100 °C. The test samples with different patterns will be prepared by ink-jetting, with silver ink used as terminations.