2A3_0644_ TOWARDS WASHABLE SMART TEXTILES: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF OXIDIZING BLEACHING AGENTS ON SILVER-PLATED TEXTILE ELECTRODES

Although textile-based skin electrodes are promising for comfortable long-term monitoring, their washability remains an issue. In this study the impact of oxidizing bleaching agents, contained in commercially available detergents, on electrical properties of silver-plated textile electrodes is analyzed and discussed. To determine the best care instructions to maintain textile electrodes’ reliability, silver-plated knitted conductive fabrics have been washed 30 times using powder and liquid detergents (with and without bleaching agents, respectively). Results show that liquid detergents should be preferred to powder ones as those agents oxidize the silver layer, reducing its conductivity and making it more vulnerable to mechanical stress.