"Nano Conductive Fiber" Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications developed for smart fabrics

Fiber coated with silver nanowires may be the future of wearable electronics. Researchers at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications have developed a simple, scalable, and low-cost way to make flexible and stretchable conductive fibers that can be used in wearable electronics.

Researchers say fibers coated with silver nanowires may be the future of wearable electronics. With the development of flexible and stretchable conductive fibers, wearable electronic products will become more and more popular. Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications published their findings in Nano Magazine.

In recent years, scientists have been working to develop smart textiles by combining fabrics with electronic devices such as sensors, light-emitting diodes, transistors, batteries and supercapacitors. However, conventional conductive fibers are typically made of metals such as stainless steel and copper, which are hard and brittle, making them unsuitable for use as smart textiles.

Nano silver lining for smart fabrics

Conductive nanomaterials such as metal nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and graphene have become new substrates for making conductive fibers. However, the simple, large scale, and cost effective fabrication of conductive fibers with high flexibility and good electrical conductivity remains a challenge.

In this study, researchers at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications in China developed a simple, scalable, and low-cost method for preparing flexible and stretchable conductive fibers for use in wearable electronic products. Using capillary action of fibers such as cotton, nylon, polyester, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) yarns, researchers can efficiently and inexpensively coat fibers in silver nanowires. They demonstrated that evaporation-induced flow and capillary-driven self-assembly processes are necessary to produce uniform silver nanowires on the fabric.

Scientists report that their flexible and stretchable conductors have a uniform morphology, high electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength. By expanding their manufacturing methods, they want to pave the way for smart fabrics that are durable, powerful and comfortable.