Facile fabrication of highly conductive, waterproof, and washable e-textiles for wearable applications

Electronic textiles (e-textiles), known as a newly-developed innovation combining the textile and electronic technologies, are burgeoning as the next-generation of wearable electronics for lots of promising applications. However, a big concern is the durability of the e-textiles during practical using. Here, we describe a facile method to fabricate mechanically and electrically durable e-textiles by chemical deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on widely used cotton fabric. The interface between AgNPs and fabric was tightly strengthened by the bioinspired polydopamine, and a highly waterproof and anticorrosive surface was further obtained by modifying with a fluorine containing agent of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfuorodecanethiol (PFDT). In addition to the low sheet resistance of 0.26 ohm/sq and high conductivity of 233.4 S/cm, the e-textiles present outstanding stability to different mechanical deformations including ultrasonication, bending and machine washing. Moreover, thanks to the surface roughness of AgNPs and low surface energy of PFDT, a superhydrophobic surface, with a water contact angle of ca. 152°, was further obtained, endowing the e-textiles excellent anti-corrosion to water, acid/alkaline solution and various liquids (e.g., milk, coffee and tea). Finally, the application of this highly conductive e-textiles in wearable thermal therapy is demonstrated. Together with the facile, all-solution-based, and environmentally friendly fabrication protocol, the e-textiles show great potential of large-scale applications in wearable electronics.