Introduction to PEDOT

PEDOT easily conducts electricity, but it is difficult to process because it is insoluble and infusible. However, when side chains are added to the PEDOT structure, it can be dissolved and used like a printable ink or spray paint.

However, these side chains are essentially waxy substances, and wax does not conduct electricity very well. So, when the processing is completed, you should wash off the side chains.

How do you wash off these side chains? Industrial solvents are useful. After the final conversion, flexible, highly conductive films are produced. They are stable and impermeable to water or other solvents.

As we all know, it is quite difficult to make flexible devices using indium tin oxide (ITO) because it is brittle material that easily breaks. The newly designed polymer, PEDOT has good mechanical flexibility, conductivity and transparency. You will see this material in more fields, such as bioelectronics. Some devices can be implanted in the skin. PEDOT plays the big role.

Now, let's talk about another thing that PEDOT will be popular: in-car capacitive touch device.

PEDOT and in-car capacitive touch devices

More and more automakers embrace advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). They look forward to autonomous vehicle cabins. Vehicles today need to be durable and easy to operate, with the design that facilitates swipe-style operation. Touchscreens and capacitive buttons can meet the needs of digital world.

However, replacing traditional mechanical switches with touch screens and capacitive buttons is a challenge in terms of design and cost. In fact, some automakers lack the knowledge and internal design experience to implement capacitive touch.

In the past, when designing capacitive touch devices, engineers relied on indium tin oxide (ITO). This material is too brittle and inflexible for use on curved surfaces.

As an alternative to ITO, PEDOT sensors have been proven to withstand more than 50000 bending cycles. PEDOT also offers a more cost-effective way. But many automakers are still hesitant to consider PEDOT as a solution due to a lack of internal knowledge and technical design experience.

As consumers prefer touch-activated features, and automakers face challenges in designing solutions and finding cost-effective alternatives. Compared with ITO, PEDOT is an economical solution, and it also broadens the application of capacitive interfaces. PEDOT-based touch film improves efficiency and saves costs for automakers while providing things that consumers demand.

For example, it is thin. The thickness istypically between 0.10 and 0.50mm. The material is flexible, allowing it to be applied to different shapes or curved surfaces.

In addition, the touch film has a highly transparent icon area, and the backlight can shine through the plastic icon on the PCB. Manufacturers can apply the touch film to the back of the user interface, which is usually a plastic part with graphics or switch icons.

Today, PEDOT is widely used in automotive switches, such as in the center stack, overhead console and steering wheel. Essentially, it supports all capacitive touch applications to replace mechanical buttons.

With PEDOT, automakers can let consumers distinguish their brands from other brands through unique appearance and user experience. Interior technology also provides customization and personalized design, giving drivers good driving experience.