Silver Nanowires Deposited on Triblock Copolymer Microfibers for Stretchable Conductive Fabrics

Abstract

Soft electronics have attracted much attention due to their conformal flexibility with skin tissue. In this work, soft and stretchable conductive fabrics were prepared based on the interface design of a poly(styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer and silver nanowires (AgNWs). AgNWs with a diameter of 200 nm, high aspect ratio, and high conductivity were prepared by a polyol reduction method. The amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) was used to improve the wettability of SEBS electrospun fibers. According to the solubility parameters, hot ethanol was chosen to post-treat the electrospun fabrics to induce the migration of the hydrophilic PEO blocks to the outer layer of the fibers so that dopamine was uniformly polymerized on the surface of the hydrophilic SEBS. AgNWs can uniformly and flexibly bind to the surface of SEBS@PDA fibers. Our study provides a simple and controllable approach to realizing stable large-strain soft stretchable electronics and exhibits great potential in human skin extension applications.

Biodegradable flexible conductive film based on sliver nanowires and PLA electrospun fibers

“…Its conductivity is about 10,000 S cm À1 and can be evenly dispersed in the aqueous phase. 30 However, conductive nanomaterials, including AgNWs, are difficult to stably bind to the surface of hydrophobic polymer and may fall off the polymer surface when bent or stretched. 31 Therefore, the use of appropriate substrates and assembly is crucial to ensure the stability of flexible electronic films.…”

“…Our research group used the polyol reduction method to prepare AgNWs with a diameter of 200 nm and an aspect ratio of about 100. Its conductivity is about 10,000 S cm −1 and can be evenly dispersed in the aqueous phase 30 . However, conductive nanomaterials, including AgNWs, are difficult to stably bind to the surface of hydrophobic polymer and may fall off the polymer surface when bent or stretched 31 .…”

Recent advances in the construction and application of stretchable PEDOT smart electronic membranes

“…26 Currently used stretchable materials include polymer gels, 27 polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 28 and polymer elastomers. 29 Compared to the percolation threshold network in a polymer matrix, forming a conductive network on the surface of elastomers can maintain good charge transport capabilities. 30 When recovering from tensile deformation, driven by entropy elasticity, stress can be gradually transferred across the interface to restore the conductive network on the surface of an elastomer.…”