Stretchability and resistive behavior of silver (Ag) nanoparticle films on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with random micro ridges

Abstract

Stretchability and resistive behavior of spin coated silver (Ag) nanoparticles films on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates having random micro ridges has been studied under the application of axial strain. No deposition was observed on smooth PDMS substrates using spin coating, while the PDMS substrates having random micro ridges were found to assist the deposition of the ink through spin coating. The deposited films show minimal change (<3 times the initial resistance) in their resistance up to 16 % of the applied axial strain. The films were also found to give unique and consistent values of resistance at different values of elongation within (2.4 % applied strain) after the first full stretching cycle (up to the electrical failure). The resistive behavior suggests that the spin coated Ag nanoparticles films on textured PDMS substrates having random micro ridges can be useful in applications like micro position sensing and stretchable electronics.