Enhancing the conductive deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):sulfate on cellulose fabrics by pre-dyeing with C.I. Sulphur Black 1

Conductive textiles, which can be utilized as sensors, are produced by depositing conductive polymers onto fabrics. This study demonstrates an enhanced process for depositing the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):sulfate (PEDOT:SO 4 ) onto cellulose substrates by pre-dyeing the fabric with C.I. Sulphur Black 1. In an aqueous environment, PEDOT:SO 4 is deposited on cellulose fabrics through the oxidative polymerisation of the monomer EDOT. Pre-dyeing with C.I. Sulphur Black 1 significantly improved the yield of PEDOT:SO 4 deposition, increasing it from 6% to as much as 42%. Other dyes, such as C.I. Reactive Red 180, C.I. Reactive Black 5, and Indigo (C.I. Vat Blue 1), were also evaluated for their effectiveness in enhancing PEDOT:SO 4 deposition. Among these, C.I. Reactive Black 5 showed a moderate improvement in yield. The approach explored in this work is based on the principle of chemical similarity between the precursors of conductive polymers and the dyes, which promotes attraction between the compounds, in line with an observation often made in nature that like often loves like. • Pre-dyeing with C.I. Sulphur Black 1 enhances the deposition of PEDOT:SO 4 . • Structural similarity between dye and polymer precursor is the driving force. • Stronger interaction facilitates the polymerisation of EDOT on fabric surface.