Reel-to-Reel Coating of a Conductive Polymer on Synthetic Textile Yarns in a Semi-closed Batch Oxidative CVD System

Abstract

In this manuscript, we demonstrate the ability to use a reel-to-reel processing technology for conductive surface functionalization of textile yarns using oxidative chemical vapor deposition in a continuous manner. We designed and built a vacuum deposition system, which allows the winding of yarns into the oCVD reactor by unreeling from the outside atmosphere, where the yarn is pre-treated with oxidant solution. Iron(III)chloride (FeCl3) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene were used as the oxidant and monomer, respectively, to deposit thin films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films on the synthetic PET yarn surfaces. FTIR and XPS analyses were carried out to verify the chemical structure of as-deposited PEDOT films. Effects of temperature, oxidant concentration, and winding speed on the electrical conductivities of the yarns after oCVD were studied. All yarns exhibited non-zero conductivity values independent of the deposition conditions studied. Very high conductivity uniformities were observed along the longitudinal direction of the yarns even at the highest studied winding speed of 24 cm/min.