Stretchable interconnections based on horseshoe shape metal nanowires

Abstract

In this paper, we presented the fabrication and testing of a new type of stretchable interconnections based on horseshoe shape metal nanowires. The stretchable interconnections could serve for stretchable electronics which are widely used in the field of tactile sensor, surgical devices, intelligent manufacturing and so on. The significant advantage of the stretchable interconnections is that excellent stretchability and outstanding conductivity are obtained simultaneously. The proposed horseshoe shape stretchable interconnections were fabricated by embedding silver nanowires (AgNWs) into the surface of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin film. The results from the stretching tests have demonstrated that the stretchable interconnections has a stable resistance (around 15[Formula: see text]) after repeated stretching and release. Moreover, the resistance increment in the 30% stretched state after fifty stretching cycles is only 138% of the initial value. With the good conductivity and stability during stretching, the stretchable interconnections developed in this paper are applicable to stretchable electronic devices.