A facile and scalable patterning approach for ultrastretchable liquid metal features. Issue 24 (21st November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Gaohua; Wang, Shaolei; Yu, Jiyuan; Zhang, Jiaxue; Sun, Yuping; Kong, Desheng
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 22:Issue 24(2022)
• Page Start: 4933
• Page End: 4940
• Publication Date: 2022-11-21
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00872f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : A screen printing-based patterning approach allows the economical and scalable fabrication of stretchable liquid metal features for a wide range of applications in soft electronic devices and systems. Abstract : Liquid metals represent an attractive class of compliant conductors featuring metallic conductivity and inherent deformability. The widespread implementation of liquid metal conductors in stretchable electronics is currently hindered by the lack of a facile patterning approach. In this study, we introduce a facile and scalable patterning approach to create liquid metal features on an elastomer substrate. A screen-printed Ag nanoflake pattern is employed as a template for the subsequent selective coating of a liquid metal layer. The as-prepared liquid metal conductors show a bulk-level conductivity of ∼2.7 × 10 4 S cm −1, an ultrahigh stretchability of up to 700% tensile strain, and excellent electromechanical durability. The practical suitability is demonstrated by the successful fabrication of an ultradeformable ribbon cable and a smart sensing glove. The efficient and economical access to ultrastretchable liquid metal features may open up a broad range of emerging applications in soft electronic devices and systems.