The aim of this paper is to present research dedicated to the elaboration of novel, miniaturized flexible temperature sensors for textronic applications. Examined sensors were manufactured on a single yarn, which ensures their high flexibility and good compatibility with textiles. Stable and linear characteristics were obtained by special technological process and applied temperature profiles. As a thermo-sensitive materials the innovative polymer compositions filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes were used. Elaborated material was adapted to printing and dip-coating techniques to produce NTC composites. Nanotube sensors were free from tensometric effect typical for other carbon-polymer sensor, and demonstrated TCR of 0.13%/K. Obtained temperature sensors, compatible with textile structure, can be applied in rapidly developing smart textiles and be used for health and protections purposes.

Stretchable polymer composites are a new group of materials with a wide range of application possibilities in wearable electronics. The purpose of this study was to fabricate stretchable electroluminescent (EL) structures using developed polymer compositions, based on multiple different nanomaterials: luminophore nanopowders, dielectric, carbon nanotubes, and conductive platelets. The multi-layered EL structures have been printed directly on textiles using screen printing technology. During research, the appropriate rheological properties of the developed composite pastes, and their suitability for printed electronics, have been confirmed. The structure that has been created from the developed materials has been tested in terms of its mechanical strength and resistance to washing or ironing.

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Copper oxide-titanium dioxide (TiO 2) p–n junctions are promising materials for photovoltaic devices and may reduce production costs due to their low cost and inexpensive production methods compared with silicon solar cells. The present review compares solar cells made with copper oxides combined with TiO 2–TiO 2/Cu 2O and TiO 2/CuO heterojunctions, and “cascade heterojunction systems.” First, we describe the main properties of titanium (iv) dioxide (TiO 2), cuprous oxide (Cu 2O), and cupric oxide (CuO), and their potential applications. Next, we explain the concept of copper oxide and TiO 2 heterojunctions. We summarize and present the photovoltaic characteristics (efficiency, fill factor, circuit current density, and open circuit voltage), thickness, preparation method, and electrode type for solar cells comprising copper oxide and TiO 2. The efficiency of the solar cells ranged from 0.0005% to 1.62%. The thickness of the TiO 2 and cupric oxide layers ranged from 0.06 to 16 µm, and from 0.18 to 1.5 µm, respectively, depending on the fabrication method. Additionally, we review and discuss the available combinations of copper oxide with other materials (Cu 2O with ZnO, CuO with ZnO, and CuO with Si), as well as the effect of the thickness of the copper (i) oxide and copper (ii) oxide on the solar cell performance. Finally, we present aspects to improve the conversion efficiency of heterojunction solar cells with copper oxides combined with TiO 2. This review will be useful for the construction and further development of thin-film solar cells.

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