Programmable and Weldable Superelastic EGaIn/TPU Composite Fiber by Wet Spinning for Flexible Electronics.

Abstract

As an essential component of flexible electronics, superelastic conductive fibers with good mechanical and electrical properties have drawn significant attention, especially in their preparation. In this study, we prepared a superelastic conductive fiber composed of eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) by simple wet spinning. The composite conductive fiber with a liquid metal (LM) content of 85 wt % achieved a maximum strain at a break of 659.2%, and after the conductive pathway in the porous structure of the composite fibers was fully activated, high conductivity (1.2 × 105 S/m) was achieved with 95 wt % LM by mechanical sintering and training processes. The prepared conductive fibers exhibited a stable resistive response as the fibers were strained and could be sewn into fabrics and used as wearable strain sensors to monitor various human motions. These conductive fibers can be molded into helical by heating, and they have excellent electrical properties at a maximum mechanical strain of 3400% (resistance change <0.27%) with a helical index of 11. Moreover, the conductive fibers can be welded to various two or three-dimensional conductors. In summary, with a scalable manufacturing process, weldability, superelasticity, and high electrical conductivity, EGaIn/TPU composite fibers fabricated by wet spinning have considerable potential for flexible electronics.