Conductive Fabrics Research Articles

Investigation of SAR reduction and gain enhancement using an all-textile antenna with metamaterial structure for wireless body area network applications

This work presents a wideband, low-profile, and flexible antenna that incorporates metamaterial (MTM) structures and textile materials. The antenna design is simulated using CST Microwave Studio, incorporating flexible textile elements such as a felt substrate and conductive fabric. The developed antenna's performance was examined numerically in free space and on a human body. The antenna with MTM technology operates in the ultra-wideband (UWB) with a bandwidth ranging from 3.86 to 13 GHz. It possesses a low profile with a thickness of 5.34 mm, making it suitable for applications in wireless body area networks (WBAN). Through the integration of metamaterial structures, the antenna's gain is enhanced, reaching 8.85 dBi compared to the initial gain of 5.34 dBi. Notably, the gain consistently exceeds 6 dBi across the entire UWB range, indicating focused power in a specific direction. For applications on the human body, specific absorption rate (SAR) values were calculated and found to be well within safety limits defined by European standards. This ensures minimal back radiation when the antenna is worn on the body, enhancing signal transmission range in WBAN applications.

Knitted Heating Mats

Abstract The paper deals with conceptual designs and research on flexible knitted heating mats differing in construction from textile heaters on low-elastic woven or nonwoven-foil substrates. Two variants of heating mats with elasticity from 100 to 300 % of relative elongation were designed and manufactured using knitting technology. The heating elements of the mats were parallel-connected sets of electrically conducted carbon threads and synthetic threads coated with silver. With considerable elongation in the range of 210÷270 % no damage was observed to the heating elements and resistance changes during the stretching process equaled from 0.015 to 0.22 Ω/% of elongation. The optimum power of the knitted heater in the range from 16 to 41 W, with high thermal efficiency for a 12 V supply voltage, was obtained thanks to proper density of the electrically conductive threads (resistors) and the appropriate structure of the knitted fabric. The surface temperature of the heater can be adjusted from 34 to 43 °C, which corresponds to human thermal comfort. One of the variants of the knitted heaters was applied in the construction of the seat and backrest of an office chair.

Setting-up a training programme for intraoperative molecular imaging and sentinel node mapping: how to teach? How to learn?

The current expansion of image-guided surgery is closely related to the role played by radio-guided surgery in supporting the sentinel node (SN) procedure during more than three decades. The so-called triple approach (lymphoscintigraphy, gamma probe detection and blue dye) was not only essential in the seminal validation of the SN procedure but also a first collective learning effort based on skill transfer and outcome-related evaluation which laid the fundaments to delineate the field of intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) based on a similar multimodality approach and multidisciplinary practice. These elements are also becoming valid in the current incorporation of SPECT/CT and PET/CT to existing and new protocols of IMI procedures and SN mapping concerning other clinical applications. On the other hand, there is a growing tendency to combine novel modern technologies in an allied role with gamma guidance in the operating room following the development of hybrid tracers and multimodal detection approaches. Against this background, learning initiatives are required for professionals working in this area. This objective has led to a group of European practitioners with large experience in SN mapping and IMI applications to give shape to a programme made up out of specific learning modules aimed to be used as a conductive thread in peripherical or centralised training instances concerning the topic. The presented work, written as a tutorial review, is placed in an available prior-art context and is primarily aimed at medical and paramedical practitioners as well as at hardware and software developers.

Conductive cotton fabric fabricated using stable Ag/MXene colloidal solution and PDMS for heating and electromagnetic shielding

Cracking of conductive coatings is a primary cause of the poor durability of conductive fabrics. To address this, an Ag/MXene colloidal solution was prepared, which was stable owing to the evenly dispersed Ag particles on the MXene sheet structure. A cotton fabric sample was then coated with Ag/MXene using a dipping method, which resulted in excellent electrical conductivity. Finally, the Ag/MXene conductive coating on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-covered fabric significantly improved the conductive durability of the fabric. The finished cotton fabric exhibited excellent conductive properties, with a surface resistance of 13.9 ± 0.3 Ω/sq. In addition, the finished cotton fabric exhibited excellent mechanical durability against bending, folding, and strain. Therefore, finished cotton fabrics with excellent electrical conductivity and durability have great potential for application in wearable textiles and flexible sensors.

Interfacial energy barrier tuning in MnO2/MoS2/Carbon fabric integrated with low resistance textrode for highly efficient wearable thermoelectric generator

Wearable thermoelectric (TE), enabling direct conversion of human body heat into electricity have become the most promising alternative for conventional batteries on the Internet of Things based wearable electronic devices. The prime challenge in fabricating a high-performance wearable thermoelectric material is to combine the non-toxicity with high mechanical flexibility, excellent electrical conductivity and high Seebeck coefficient. This paper proposes a facile approach to fabricate a textile-based wearable thermoelectric generator (WTEG) with outstanding TE properties and exceptional flexibility. Herein, molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanosheets were grown on conductive carbon fabric (CF) via in-situ binder-free hydrothermal technique and manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanorods were decorated on it via dip coating, to form a 1D/2D interface. We investigated the in-plane TE properties of MnO2/MoS2/CF and achieved a superior power factor of 548.7 nW/mK2 which is 49.5 % higher than that of the pristine MoS2/CF. Such behaviour can be explained by the selective transmission of high energy carriers at the optimized MnO2/MoS2 interface. Moreover, this study is the first to employ a textile-based contact electrode in fabrication of WTEG that resulted in ultra-low internal resistance of the fabricated device (30–300 Ω). The lack of rigid contact electrodes leaves more flexibility, which benefits in enhanced wearability of the device. Owing to minimal internal resistance (29.4 Ω), the WTEG comprising of 1 -n/p pair could produce an open circuit voltage, as high as 0.2 mV under the thermal gradient of 15–20 K. Additionally, we demonstrated that increasing the number of modules from 1 pair to 4 pairs systematically improved the device performance. The open circuit voltage and output power generated for WTEG comprising of 4 -n/p pairs is measured to be 1.2 mV and 1 nW, respectively. This work provides a feasible design solution for a low resistance, rigid-free WTEGs with high performance which can significantly support the growth of research in wearable thermoelectrics.

Highly conductive and elastic multi-responsive phase change smart fiber and textile

Smart fiber, which can sense external environment changes intelligently and response quickly, has become an important building block to weave wearable system. Wet-spinning phase change materials (PCM) into smart fabrics offers great promise to regulate temperature and achieve personized thermal comfort in an intelligent way. However, the intrinsic low mechanical elasticity and stimuli responsiveness of PCM seriously blocking its application in wearable systems. In this work, we developed an ultra-stretchable PCM-based smart fiber for personal healthcare and thermal management, via wet-spinning PCM microcapsules embedded in elastic polyurethanes with dual responsive networks. Organic poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) “glued” inorganic carbon nanotubes/graphene skeleton into 3D hierarchically interconnected responsive and sensitive network along elastic fibers, which not only exhibits high sensitivity to multi stimuli (mechanical/electrical/thermal/light), but also facilitates efficient carrier transfer between PCM microcapsules for rapid response. Elastic PCM-based smart fiber with high mechanical stretchability (>200%) not only could adapt to the intense large movements seamlessly, but also convert these deformations into electrical signals for healthcare monitoring. Furthermore, the stretchable conductive PCM-based smart fiber(1.96×104 S/m) still remains robust stimuli-responsiveness with excellent Joule heating and photothermal effect even under large mechanical deformations, which could convert multi stimuli into latent thermal energy during response process and store it for self-powered personal thermal management. The robust PCM-based smart fiber with outstanding knotting capability can be woven into large-scale breathable textiles. The stretchable multi-responsive PCM-based fiber holds great potential in emerging wearable electronics and smart textiles.

Sensorized T-Shirt with Intarsia-Knitted Conductive Textile Integrated Interconnections: Performance Assessment of Cardiac Measurements during Daily Living Activities.

The development of smart wearable solutions for monitoring daily life health status is increasingly popular, with chest straps and wristbands being predominant. This study introduces a novel sensorized T-shirt design with textile electrodes connected via a knitting technique to a Movesense device. We aimed to investigate the impact of stationary and movement actions on electrocardiography (ECG) and heart rate (HR) measurements using our sensorized T-shirt. Various activities of daily living (ADLs), including sitting, standing, walking, and mopping, were evaluated by comparing our T-shirt with a commercial chest strap. Our findings demonstrate measurement equivalence across ADLs, regardless of the sensing approach. By comparing ECG and HR measurements, we gained valuable insights into the influence of physical activity on sensorized T-shirt development for monitoring. Notably, the ECG signals exhibited remarkable similarity between our sensorized T-shirt and the chest strap, with closely aligned HR distributions during both stationary and movement actions. The average mean absolute percentage error was below 3%, affirming the agreement between the two solutions. These findings underscore the robustness and accuracy of our sensorized T-shirt in monitoring ECG and HR during diverse ADLs, emphasizing the significance of considering physical activity in cardiovascular monitoring research and the development of personal health applications.

Advancements in Conductive Cotton Thread-Based Graphene: A New Generation of Flexible, Lightweight, and Cost-Effective Electronic Applications

Conductive threads have emerged as a highly promising platform for the advancement of smart textiles, enabling the integration of conductivity into fabric materials. In this study, we present a novel approach to fabricate highly flexible graphene-based smart threads, which exhibit exceptional electrical properties. Four distinct types of smart threads were meticulously prepared by drop-casting graphene dispersions onto cotton threads, utilizing various solvents. The influence of annealing temperature and the quantity of dispersed graphene on the electrical conductivity of the threads was systematically investigated. Our findings reveal that the electrical conductivity of the threads is significantly influenced by the type of solvent and the annealing temperature, while exhibiting an increasing trend with higher amounts of dispersed graphene. Remarkably, we achieved a maximum electrical conductivity of 2505.68 S cm−1 for a thread prepared with 6 mL of graphene dispersed in ethanol, annealed at a temperature of 78 °C. Furthermore, the fabricated smart threads were successfully employed as replacements for electric cables in a mobile charger and a computer mouse, demonstrating their high efficiency. This work represents a significant advancement in the development of a new generation of smart textiles, offering a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly fabrication method for the production of smart threads.

Construction of carbon nitride/zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 heterojunctions on carbon fiber cloth as the photocatalyst for various pollutants removal and hydrogen production

With the macroscale and conductive carbon fiber cloth (CFC) as the substrate, the obtained self-supported photocatalysts hold great promise for enhancing the separation of generated carriers and the recyclability of catalysts, thereby improving the photocatalytic performance and practicality in various applications. Additionally, decorating metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with ultrahigh surface area on the surface of effective semiconductors is a promising method to enhance the adsorption capacity and photocatalytic performance. Herein, zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) as a typical MOFs was applied to modify carbon nitride (C3N4) on the surface of macroscale and conductive CFC. CFC/C3N4/ZIF-67 (4 × 4 cm2) was obtained by a thermal condensation-chemical bath deposition two-step route, and it shows superior adsorption and photocatalytic activity toward bisphenol A (BPA), levofloxacin (LVFX), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and good hydrogen evolution activity. Besides, the recycling test for four cycles indicates the high stability of CFC/C3N4/ZIF-67 with an easy recycling process. In this study, CFC/C3N4/ZIF-67 was prepared through the hydrothermal and chemical bath deposition two-step method, which enhances light absorption and photocatalytic performance, as well as recyclability for solving environmental and energy issues.

Thermo-Electric Properties of Conductive Cotton Fabrics: Synergistic Effects of Graphene Doping Ratio and Amount

Thermo-Electric Properties of Conductive Cotton Fabrics: Synergistic Effects of Graphene Doping Ratio and Amount

Flag-type hybrid nanogenerator utilizing flapping wakes for consistent high performance over an ultra-broad wind speed range

Fluttering of regular flags and flapping of inverted flags in the wind serve as the foundational principles of flag-type nanogenerators (FNGs). However, FNGs relying on a single aerodynamic behavior exhibit significant power output only within a limited spectrum of wind speeds, posing a challenge to their robustness in scenarios with intensely fluctuating wind. In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid scheme aimed at harnessing the synergistic potential of two aerodynamic behaviors to enhance the performance of FNGs and broaden their operational wind speed ranges. A flag-type triboelectric-piezoelectric hybrid nanogenerator (FTPNG) is developed with the integration of flapping piezoelectric flags (PEFs) and a fluttering triboelectric flag (TEF). To overcome the limited operational wind speed range, flapping PEFs are configured in an array format, optimized through fluid-solid coupled simulations. The rear TEF leverages the fluttering motion of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane, which intermittently contacts and separates from conductive textiles positioned on the inner surface of the baffles. A noteworthy feature is the innovative “back-to-back” design, which utilizes the flapping wakes generated by PEFs to intensify the fluttering of the PTFE membrane, resulting in a remarkable boost in power generation of up to 132 times and achieving a maximum peak power output of 5400 μW. The FTPNG offers consistent high performance, with an average output of exceeding 200 μW over an ultra-broad wind speed range of 4.7–14.6 m/s, while the complete operational range is 3.7–15 m/s. It also attains a considerable average power output of 850 μW at 7.8 m/s, marking a significant advancement compared to other FNGs. Finally, in demonstration tests, the FTPNG can light 252 LEDs and showcases the capabilities of PEF array and TEF to independently power a wireless sensor node (WSN), highlighting its significant potential for applications in the Internet of Things and various self-powered systems.

Step-by-step assembly of antimony tin oxide/polymer coatings on cotton fabrics for enhanced electrical conductivity and fire resistance properties

To prepare functional cotton fabric with good electrical conductive property, tin oxide antimony (ATO) and polymer was alternately assembled on the cotton fabric for fabricating functional coating by dipping-assisted layer-by-layer assembly technique. The microstructure of ATO/polymer coated fabric was characterized by scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, the electrical conductivity and air permeability were measured by multimeter, four-point resistance tester and air permeability tester. The results showed that the addition of ATO imparted electrical conductive property to the ordinary cotton fabric, and the polyanionic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was beneficial to the deposition of ATO and polycationic polyethyleneimine (PEI) and thus improving the conductive property of the fabric. With the increase of the number of assembly layers, the quality, thickness and electrical conductive property increased, but the air permeability decreased. When the number of assembly layers increased from 3 to 6 and 9, the resistivity of the fabric decreased from 41.8 Ω·m to 6.1 and 4.7 Ω·m. Meanwhile, the addition of ATO and PEI improved the fire resistance property of cotton fabric. The exploration of the conductive fabric provides a feasible strategy for multi-functional wearable textiles.

Development of a textronic system by machine embroidery for sportsmen

Numerous solutions for pulse measurement by athletes exist, most commonly in the form of watches or bands. However, some athletes do not tolerate or do not want additional devices on their bodies during exercise. This work aims to replace the existing commercial solutions with textile sensors embedded in clothing. Such a solution would increase comfort and facilitate physical activity. To select the best solution, four knitted fabrics were tested to select the one with the best parameters as a substrate for the system. Three different densities of the embroidery with electrically conductive thread 100%, 85% and 65% were also tested and in two sizes for bands and belts. Mechanical and utility tests were performed such as resistance to perspiration or tensile stress. All tests were carried out in an accredited laboratory, in accordance with applicable standards and our own methodology. The results showed the best material, embroidery density and embroidery size to create an airy, heat-dissipating, and durable textronic system for athletes. Prototype of the solution was created, and its operation was tested during simulation. Conducted tests of the conductive properties of embroidered materials confirm the possibility of making textronic sensors responding to the pulse. The knitted fabrics selected for the tests meet the requirements of sports materials for the parameters of thermal resistance and air permeability. The results showed the correct operation of the prototype.

Induction thermography for unidirectional CFRP composites: A novel inspection approach through global current path integration

In the evolving field of non-destructive testing of composite materials, induction thermography offers significant potential. However, its application to Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (UD CFRP) composites remains challenging due to the unavailability of global current paths. This study introduces a novel methodology to inspect UD CFRP composites using Induction Thermography by incorporating an additional conduction current loop between the composite layers. Initial proof-of-concept experiments were conducted on fiber tow and further validated on laminates. The findings substantiate that the integration of a global current path notably facilitates laminate heating, enhancing the induction thermographic inspection capability. An unexpected discovery in our research is the ability of a circular coil to detect fiber breakage in a laminate that is nearly an order of magnitude wider than the coil diameter, thus demonstrating the approach’s high sensitivity. The practical applicability of the proposed methodology was demonstrated using an external fixture. Moreover, this work proposes an innovative modification to the manufacturing process of non-crimp textiles by incorporating a conductive thread, envisaged to bolster the induction thermographic inspection efficiency further. Numerical modeling, closely aligning with experimental observations, provides a robust theoretical foundation for our work.

A reduced graphene oxide-based electrochemical sensing and eco-friendly 4-nitrophenol degradation

The pollutant para-nitrophenol or 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) is being deemed lethal because it slows down photosynthetic processes, is carcinogenic, and has other major negative impacts on aquatic as well as terrestrial life. In this study, a distinctive electrochemical sensor for measurement of the 4-Nitrophenol was incorporated by electrodepositing nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) on conductive fabric (CF). The morphological features of the prepared electrode (RGO/MnO2/CF) were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas the phase purity and formation of composite were authenticated via X-ray diffraction method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental mapping were also employed to analyze the morphology and elemental composition of the composite. Analysis and comparison were done on the electrochemical characteristics of 4-Nitrophenol on RGO/MnO2/CF. The electrochemical studies involved the pH study, cyclic voltammetry analysis at the rate of 0.05 Vs−1, scan rate study, and incubation time study which were done to examine the behavior and kinetics of the synthesized electrodes. The fabricated RGO/MnO2/CF electrode was found to have clearly defined redox peak currents towards 4-Nitrophenol. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 55.9 μM and 169.3 μM was calculated for optimal circumstances where the reduction peak current fluctuates linearly with a concentration of 4-Nitrophenol. Additionally, the as-fabricated sensor maintained >99.9 % of its original signal even after 5 weeks of storage, proving its good stability, significant specificity, and reproducibility. As a result, the suggested technique offers an outstanding framework for the simple and reliable sensing of 4-Nitrophenol. In addition, RGO and the optimal amount of NaBH4 were added to study the degradation of 4-NP. The degradation was analyzed by taking the absorbance of the sample after an interval of 5 min. The findings demonstrate that 4-NP is effectively degraded by the RGO.

The Impact of Structural Variations and Coating Techniques on the Microwave Properties of Woven Fabrics Coated with PEDOT:PSS Composition

Minimizing the impact of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) holds paramount importance in safeguarding individuals who frequently utilize electrical and electronic devices. Electrically conductive textiles, which possess specialized EMR shielding features, present a promising solution to mitigate the risks related to EMR. Furthermore, these textile-based shielding materials could find application as radar-absorbing materials in stealth technology, emphasizing the need for substantial absorption capabilities in shielding mechanisms. In this study, various textile-based materials with an electrically conductive coating that contain the conjugated polymer system poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) were prepared and investigated. The influence of the textile substrate structural parameters, coating deposit, and coating method on their microwave properties—transmission, reflection, and absorption—was investigated. Reflection and transmission measurements were conducted within a frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz. These measurements revealed that, for the tested samples, the shielding properties are determined by the combined effect of reflection and absorption. However, the role of these two parameters varies across the tested frequency range. It was defined that for fabrics coated on one side, better reflection reduction is obtained when the shielding effectiveness (SE) is below |20| dB. It was found that by controlling the coating deposition on the fabric, it is possible to fine-tune the electrical properties to a certain extent, thereby influencing the microwave properties of the coated fabrics. The studies of prepared samples have shown that reflection and transmission parameters depend not only on the type and quantity of conductive paste applied to the fabric but also on the fabric’s construction parameters and the coating technique used. It was found that the denser the substrate used for coating, the more conductive paste solidifies on the surface, forming a thicker coat on the top. For conductive fabrics with the same substrate to achieve a particular SE value using the knife-over-roll coating technology, the required coating deposit amount is considerably lower as compared with the deposit necessary in the case of screen printing: for the knife-over-roll-coated sample to reach SE 15 dB, the required deposit is approximately 14 g/m2; meanwhile, for a sample coated via screen printing, this amount rises to 23 g/m2.

Prediction of Electrical Resistance with Conductive Sewing Patterns by Combining Artificial Neural Networks and Multiple Linear Regressions.

This study aims to estimate the impact of sewing thread patterns on changes in the resistance of conductive yarns coated with silver paste. Firstly, the structure of the conductive yarns was examined, and various variations in the length and angle of individual sewing stitches were observed and analyzed through experiments. The results revealed that as the length of an individual stitch decreased, the width of the conductive yarn increased. Additionally, variations in the stitch angle resulted in different resistance values in the conductive yarn. These findings provide essential information for optimizing sewing patterns and designing components. Secondly, the comparison between models using multiple linear regression analysis and sewing neural networks was included to show optimized resistance prediction. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the stitch length and angle were significant variables affecting the resistance of the conductive thread. The artificial neural network model results can be valuable for optimizing sewing patterns and controlling resistance in various applications that utilize conductive thread. In addition, understanding the resistance variation in conductive thread according to sewing patterns and using optimized models to enhance component performance provides opportunities for innovation and progress. This research is necessary for the textile industry and materials engineering fields and holds high potential for practical applications in industrial settings.

Robust multi‐walled carbon nanotubes@thermoplastic polyurethane porous films with conductive fabrics for wearable triboelectric nanogenerators

AbstractFor sustainable wearable applications, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) should have the features of flexibility, robustness, biocompatibility, and integration. For this purpose, flexible TENGs were proposed using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film with a porous structure and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was incorporated to enhance the output performance by forming microcapatitors. The conductive fabric was embedded in the friction layer as electrodes, convenient for integration and wearing. Benefiting from the porous structure and microcapatitor effect, the results showed that the output voltage and current of TENG based on the MWCNT@TPU porous composite film increased to 41 V, and 12.4 μA when the concentration of TPU was 18 wt% and the concentration of MWCNT was 0.3 wt%, from the original 9 V and 1.5 μA for TENG with dense TPU film. The harvested electric energy was enough to light up 148 LEDs or 18 COBs, as well as charging capacitors for powering micro‐electronics. In addition, the TENG could be used for sensing emergency situations and identifying objects. Generally, the designed TENG provides new insights into investigating porous materials with flexibility for high performance energy harvesters.Highlights A wearable, integratable and durable triboelectric layer was developed. The triboelectric layer was optimized by incorporating carbon nanotubes. The outputs of TENG were improved by porous structure and microcapatitor effect. The TENG had a great potential in energy harvesting and protective alarm system.

Thermochromic Conductive Fibers with Modifiable Solar Absorption for Personal Thermal Management and Temperature Visualization.

Thermal management textiles provide an energy-efficient strategy for personal thermal comfort by regulating heat flow between the human body and the environment. However, textiles with a single heating or cooling mode cannot realize temperature regulation under dynamic weather. Furthermore, monocolor textiles do not satisfy aesthetic requirements in a garment. Here, we develop a thermochromic (TC) conductive fiber with a coaxial structure composed of a conductive core and thermochromic shell. The TC conductive fiber-woven fabric has the ability of low-energy dynamic thermal management by combining Joule heating and modulation of solar absorption. Compared with commercial white fabrics, TC conductive fabrics exhibit a maximum temperature drop of 2.5 K, while the temperature of colored commercial fabrics is 7.5-16 K higher than that of commercial white fabrics in the hot. In the cold, the combination of Joule heating and the photothermal effect can provide desired thermal comfort for humans. Meanwhile, heat obtained from solar absorption brings the temperature of a fabric to a predetermined level, which saves energy of 625 W/m2 compared to a conductive-fiber-based textile. In addition, TC conductive fabrics with trichromatic evolution provide a sensitive and instant temperature visualization capable of identification of invisible and intense infrared radiation. These results provide another path to expand potential applications of wearable, flexible electronics.

Preparation of conductive polyester fabric by electroless plating with graft modification of silane coupling agent

In order to replace the conventional tin palladium activation method, which is expensive and causes significant pollution when used to prepare conductive polyester fabric, silane coupling agents (SCAs) KH550 and KH792 are used to form self-assembly film on the surface of polyester fabric. A catalytic active center is created to initiate electroless plating after silver ions are adsorbed and reduced by formaldehyde. Finally, the conductive polyester fabric is prepared by electroless copper plating. The amount of SCAs grafted on polyester is preliminarily calculated by the reaction of ninhydrin with amino group. The copper coating with 25 % mass fraction of SCAs grows better than 20 %. Meanwhile, KH792 has a better copper plating effect than KH550 and the highest conductivity of copper-coated fabric is 1065 S/cm.