Biocompatible, Transparent, and High-Areal-Coverage Kirigami PEDOT:PSS Electrodes for Electrooculography-Derived Human-Machine Interactions

ACS Sens. 2021 Mar 26;6(3):967-975. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.0c02154. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Abstract

Electronic skin sensors prepared from biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric materials significantly benefit the research and scientific community, as they can reduce the amount of effort required for e-waste management by deteriorating or dissolving into the environment without pollution. Herein, we report the use of polylactic acid (PLA)-a promising plant-based bioplastic-and highly transparent, conductive, biocompatible, and flexible poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) materials to fabricate kirigami-based stretchable on-skin electrophysiological sensors via a low-cost and rapid laser cutting technique. The sensor stack with PEDOT:PSS and PLA layers exhibited high transparency (>85%) in the wavelength range of 400-700 nm and stay attached conformally to the skin for several hours without adverse effects. The Y-shaped kirigami motifs inspired by the microcracked gold film endowed the sensor with attributes such as high areal coverage (∼85%), breathability (∼40 g m-2 h-1), and multidirectional stretchability. The sensor has been successfully applied to monitor electrophysiological signals and demonstrated with an eye movement-supported communication interface for controlling home electronic appliances.

Keywords: biocompatible; breathability; electrophysiological sensor; kirigami; laser cutting; stretchable; transparent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic*
  • Electrodes
  • Electrooculography
  • Humans
  • Polymers*

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Polymers
  • poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)