Liquid metal based conductive textile via reactive wetting for stretchable electromagnetic shielding and electro-thermal conversion applications

Abstract

Developing stretchable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding fabrics has long been fascinating, but remains challenging. Inspired by the fluidity of GaInSn based liquid metal (LM), a series of conductive and stretchable textiles was successfully fabricated here. Notably, the collaboration between Ag nanoparticles and flexible LM coating give rise to metallic electrical conductivity (5637 S/m) and distinguished EMI shielding effectiveness (112.8 dB), together with a remarkable shielding value (96.2 dB) even under stretching. Such a well-established conductive pathway can further yield favorable Joule heating performance that enables low-voltage driving warmth retention. Moreover, the LM coating deliver anti-fouling property and robust fastness on the textile substrate, with no discernible reduction in EMI SE observed even after repetitive strain or cyclic washing. These fascinating features, together with the easy processability, are believed to further drive the structure design of novel conductive textile toward wearable applications.