Reliability testing of PEDOT: PSS capacitors integrated into textile fabrics

Abstract

Textile-based capacitors have been made from polyethylene dioxythiophene, polystyrene sulphonate (PEDOT:PSS) as the electrolyte and pure stainless steel filament yarns as the electrodes. The capacitor is well integrated into the textile structure, small in size and of light weight. Although they experience a self-discharge, the reliability of the PEDOT:PSS capacitors has been investigated by repeating up to 14 cycles of charging and discharging. Initially, the voltage output turns out to be higher with increasing number of cycles. However, after the fifth cycle, degradation of the cell starts occurring and a decreasing behaviour in the voltage output is observed. One can roughly say that these capacitors could be used up to 10–15 cycles.