Effect of draw ratios on the structure and properties of PEDOT PSS/PVA composite fibers

Composite conductive fibers with high conductivity, good mechanical properties and well-behaved spinnability were obtained by the wet spinning based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT-PSS) blended with polyvinyl alcohol(PVA). The effect of draw ratios on the conductivity, structure, thermostability and mechanical properties of the fibers was investigated. The results show that the number of microfibers on the surface of PEDOT-PSS/PVA composite fiber increases, and its crystallization, thermal stability and mechanical properties are all improved with the increase of the draw ratio. When the draw ratio of PEDOT-PSS/PVA composite fiber is 4.0, its breaking strength, tensile stretch and initial modulus are 6.74 cN/ dtex, 5.95% and 42.43 cN/dtex, respectively, and its conductivity reaches 34.5 S/cm, which presents a good utility.