Fabrication of Heat-generating Polyester through Formation of Conductive Silver Nanowire Network

Abstract

In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on wearable smart garments incorporating various materials and technologies, among which heating garments with the ability to generate heat through battery-powered circuits have gained significant attention. However, traditional methods utilizing heating wires suffer from drawbacks such as increased weight, lack of flexibility due to embedded wires, and limited heating distribution. To address these challenges and enhance user convenience, research efforts are actively focused on developing smart textile technologies that maintain lightweight properties while offering sufficient flexibility and low electrical resistance. This study explores the fabrication of heating fibers by applying silver nanowires, known for their excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, onto polyester fabric, a commonly used textile known for its durability and heat resistance. A dispersion and drying method utilizing isopropyl alcohol is employed to ensure uniform distribution of nanowires on the fabric surface. The impact of nanowire concentration and deposition cycles on the electrical properties and structure of the fabric is investigated, demonstrating high heating stability and reproducibility, thus indicating potential applications in various industries. Experimental results reveal that the fabricated heating textiles exhibit rapid heating response times, reaching target temperatures within seconds, and maintaining stable temperatures with minimal fluctuations even after prolonged usage. Furthermore, the textiles demonstrate excellent reproducibility under repeated heating cycles and show promising performance even under various deformation conditions, highlighting their suitability for practical usage scenarios.