Customizable and scalable manufacture of aesthetic ionic conductive silk yarns for e-textile devices

Abstract

Electronic textiles (e-textiles), which combine the comfort of textiles with the functionality of soft electronics, have attracted much attention in wearable applications. However, scale-up fabrication of stretchable textiles with concurrent high stability and aesthetic appeal features poses significant challenges. Here, we report a scalable and customizable dip-coating strategy for the preparation of multiple-colored and functionally stable ionic conductive silk yarns (i-SY) and demonstrate their effectiveness in exercise posture correction. The i-SY preserves the inherent properties of silk fibers and ionic liquids, exhibiting improved mechanical properties, weaving capabilities, flame retardancy, and electrical conductivity. The method leverages the exceptional transparency of ionic liquids, facilitating the large-scale production of colored i-SYs to meet aesthetic demands. Additionally, the i-SY sensor exhibits exemplary sensing sensitivity and stability, enabling the real-time monitoring of human joint movements and facilitating precise posture correction during fitness exercises. We envision that the proposed sensing textile holds promise for applications in wearable devices, healthcare monitoring, and human–machine interfaces.