pp. 4427-4435
S&M4191 Research Paper https://doi.org/10.18494/SAM5641 Published: October 21, 2025 Dimethyl Sulfoxide–Enhanced Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Hydrogels for Flexible and Conductive Sensors [PDF] Yen-Kai Huang, Shih-Chen Shi, Guan-Yu Chen, and Dieter Rahmadiawan (Received March 25, 2025; Accepted September 25, 2025) Keywords: conductive hydrogel, PEDOT:PSS modification, DMSO doping, wearable sensors, flexible electronics
Conductive hydrogels are promising materials for flexible and wearable sensors owing to their high conductivity, stretchability, and biocompatibility. However, the insulating nature of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) limits charge transport. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been used to enhance conductivity by modifying hydrogen bonding interactions. In this research, we incorporated DMSO into PEDOT:PSS hydrogels to improve conductivity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that DMSO replaced hydrogen bonds between PEDOT and PSS, as shown by the disappearance of the SO3− and S+ peak at 1150 cm−1 and the emergence of a −SO2H and O− peak at 1300 cm−1. Electrical measurements showed that resistance decreased from 200 to 40 kΩ, reaching 20% of its initial value. However, further DMSO addition led to conductivity saturation. These findings demonstrate that DMSO effectively enhances PEDOT:PSS hydrogels by improving charge transport. The enhanced conductivity makes these hydrogels suitable for wearable sensors, biomedical monitoring, and flexible electronics. Future research will focus on optimizing mechanical properties and stability for real-world applications.
Corresponding author: Shih-Chen Shi![]() ![]() This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Cite this article Yen-Kai Huang, Shih-Chen Shi, Guan-Yu Chen, and Dieter Rahmadiawan, Dimethyl Sulfoxide–Enhanced Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Hydrogels for Flexible and Conductive Sensors, Sens. Mater., Vol. 37, No. 10, 2025, p. 4427-4435. |