Click Electroless Plating and Sonoplating of Polyester with Copper Nanoparticles Producing Conductive Fabric

Abstract

Here, copper nanoparticles were in situ synthesized on polyester fabric using cost effective chemicals, without stabilizing and sensitizing agents through a simple click electroless plating method to attain the electrical conductive fabric. Central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of copper salt precursor and reducing agent concentration on the electrical resistivity. The best sample with the lowest electrical resistivity was chosen and analyzed and then similar processing conditions were applied under ultrasonic condition besides final fabrics were subjected to the diverse characterizations. Findings suggested the potentiality of the one-pot sonoplating method for fabrication of copper nanoparticles on polyester fabric. The successful synthesis of copper nanoparticles on the polyester fabric was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. A remarkable low electrical resistivity of 0.5 Ω·cm obtained on the sonotreated samples produced with incorporation of copper nanoparticles. Further, good results indicated on the mechanical properties of the copper treated fabrics. All of the observations perceive the great potential applications of the product in electrical, medical and smart textiles industries.