High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic Printing with Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Conductive Polymers

Abstract

Conductive polymer materials, particularly PEDOT:PSS conductive polymers, have gained widespread attention due to their excellent conductivity, processability, and biocompatibility, making them highly applicable in fields such as bioelectrodes, flexible sensors, and soft robotics. With the rapid development of flexible electronics, the demand for micron-scale precision in the processing of conductive polymers grows. However, advanced fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing and screen printing, which are currently popular in research, face challenges in achieving a micron-level resolution, limiting the further application of conductive polymers. In this study, we demonstrate three types of PEDOT:PSS inks and systematically explore their suitability for electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing. We investigate the impact of critical parameters, including voltage, printing speed, and printing height, on the accuracy of printed patterns. Among the formulations, the optimized PEDOT:PSS to ethylene glycol ratio of 1:1 achieves line widths of 20 µm. Based on this ink, we successfully print flexible conductive polymer patterns with line widths ranging from 20 µm to 90 µm and fabricate PEDOT:PSS conductive films with dimensions of 1.5 cm × 0.5 cm. This high-precision PEDOT:PSS ink demonstrates a strong potential for applications in high-density electrode arrays, electrochemical transistors, and brain–machine interfaces, paving the way for advanced flexible electronics.