Highly electrically conductive and stretchable copper nanowires-based composite for flexible and printable electronics

Abstract

Copper nanowires (CuNWs) have been considered for the promising application as conductive element of stretchable conductors due to ultrahigh aspect ratio, outstanding conductivity, great flexibility and low-cost. However, controllable synthesis, surface oxidation, poor dispersity have always been main limitations to their application in stretchable conductors. Herein, highly conductive, stretchable and fully printable CuNWs-based composites (PNCNs) by infiltrating CuNWs into poly(styrene-blockbutadiene-block-styrene) (SBS) with a facile, cost-effective and scalable method were reported. CuNWs of high quality, chemical treatment by vacuum filtration way and special dispersion method facilitate fabrication of PNCNs of high performance. As-prepared PNCNs have superior electrical conductivity of 1858 S cm−1, high break elongation of 920%. Moreover, PNCNs are stable after 1000 cycles for a bend radius of 4.0 mm and electric performance was not affected by twisting. Importantly, PNCNs can be printed on paper to fabricate flexible circuits which exhibit excellent electric performance at different tension conditions.