Hu Gaohua, Wang Shaolei, Yu Jiyuan, Zhang Jiaxue, Sun Yuping, Kong Desheng
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China.
National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
Lab Chip. 2022 Dec 6;22(24):4933-4940. doi: 10.1039/d2lc00872f.
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 S cm, 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.
液态金属是一类具有吸引力的柔顺导体，兼具金属导电性和固有的可变形性。目前，由于缺乏简便的图案化方法，液态金属导体在可拉伸电子器件中的广泛应用受到阻碍。在本研究中，我们引入了一种简便且可扩展的图案化方法，以在弹性体基板上创建液态金属特征。采用丝网印刷的银纳米片图案作为模板，用于后续选择性涂覆液态金属层。所制备的液态金属导体表现出约2.7×10 S/cm的体相电导率、高达700%拉伸应变的超高拉伸性以及优异的机电耐久性。通过成功制造超可变形带状电缆和智能传感手套，证明了其实际适用性。高效且经济地获得超拉伸液态金属特征可能会在软电子器件和系统中开辟广泛的新兴应用。
