Abstract
We fabricated semitransparent and stretchable hybrid Ag-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) conductors on a polyurethane (PU) substrate for use in high-performance wearable and self-cleaning sensors. The highly conductive Ag metal and stretchable PTFE polymer matrix were cosputtered, embedding the self-formed Ag in the PTFE matrix. Depending on the cosputtering RF and DC power ratio, the Ag-PTFE conductors showed a sheet resistance of 3.09–17.23 Ω/square and an optical transparency of 25.27–38.49% at a wavelength of 550 nm. Under the optimal cosputtering conditions, the Ag-PTFE electrode showed outstanding stretchability (strain 20%) and reversible hysteresis, enabling the production of stretchable and semitransparent conductors. In addition, the very small critical inward/outward bending radius near 1 mm and the hydrophobic surface indicate that the Ag-PTFE films could also be applied in wearable and self-cleaning devices. The suitability of the high stretchability and low sheet resistance of the sputtered Ag-PTFE conductor was verified by using it as a stretchable interconnector for commercial ELs, LEDs, and strain sensors. We applied the Ag-PTFE film as a semitransparent conductor for stretchable touch panels and electromyography sensors. Cosputtered Ag-PTFE films are promising stretchable conductors for a variety of applications in next-generation wearable devices.
Highlights
Wearable and stretchable electronics for human or robot bodies are becoming increasingly popular for their potential uses in healthcare monitoring, artificial robots, eye cameras, and electronic skin[1,2,3,4,5,6]
Since the Ag-PTFE conductor shows unique electrical and mechanical properties depending on the ratio of direct current (DC) to radio frequency (RF) power applied on the Ag and PTFE targets, we optimized the Ag-PTFE conductor based on the DC/RF power ratio
The contact angle and surface energy of the Ag-PTFE conductors were measured as a function of the DC and RF power applied to Ag and PTFE targets
Summary
Wearable and stretchable electronics for human or robot bodies are becoming increasingly popular for their potential uses in healthcare monitoring, artificial robots, eye cameras, and electronic skin[1,2,3,4,5,6]. The Ag-PTEF hybrid conductor prepared at a higher DC power (5/40, 7/40 W) with an increased Ag volume fraction showed sheet resistances of 3.09 and 17.23 Ω/square, which indicated an effective Ag network current path in the PTFT matrix.
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