Hybrid‐Filler Stretchable Conductive Composites: From Fabrication to Application

Abstract

Stretchable conductive composites (SCCs) are generally elastomer matrices filled with conductive fillers. They combine the conductivity of metals and carbon materials with the flexibility of polymers, which are attractive properties for applications such as stretchable electronics, wearable devices, and flexible sensors. Most conventional conductive composites that are filled with only one type of conductive filler face issues in mechanical and electrical properties. Recently, some studies introduced secondary fillers to create hybrid‐filler SCCs to solve these problems. The secondary fillers produce a synergistic effect with the primary fillers to enhance the electrical conductivity of the composites. They also improve the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties or impart composites with special functions like catalysis and self‐healing. Herein, the fabrication methods, stretchability enhancement strategies, and piezoresistivity of SCCs are analyzed, and their latest applications in stretchable electronics are introduced. Finally, the challenges and prospects of their development are discussed.

Peritoneum‐Inspired Janus Porous Hydrogel with Anti‐Deformation, Anti‐Adhesion, and Pro‐Healing Characteristics for Abdominal Wall Defect Treatment

“…Hydrogen bonds of JPVA hydrogel were strengthened during freezing and lyophilization, which were maintained during rehydration, leading to the improved mechanical property. [58] Moreover, JPVA exhibited 164% tensile strain at break (Figure S6b, Supporting Information), which was much higher than the demand for anti-adhesive patches (10%-30% strain). [59] On the other hand, the swelling ratio of JPVA hydrogel was 5.9%, 6.4%, 5.5% and 5.3% after immersed in phosphatebuffered saline (PBS) buffer for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days, respectively (Figure 3g), which was significantly lower than those of most reported anti-adhesive patches (Figure 3h).…”

Tough Hydrogel Bioadhesives for Sutureless Wound Sealing, Hemostasis and Biointerfaces

“…[3][4][5]23] Currently, most implantable devices require wire connections and batteries, and these tethered solutions may cause undesirable discomforts and carry a risk of infection, and complications stemming from dislodgement, leakage, or blockage. [2,3,7] Here, we anchored a wireless and battery-free electronic onto a porcine heart (purchased from local butcher's) using our hydrogel bioadhesives (Figure 6a), exploiting passive LC-resonance circuits, where parameters to be sensed induce the changes in capacitance C of the circuits. [35,36] Meanwhile, the porcine heart was periodically purged with air through a dispenser, in order to mimic the heart beating behaviors.…”

“…Recent advances in functional materials have opened up a spectrum of applications in biomedical engineering and bioelectronics. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] One of the critical requirements in these application scenarios is the capability to build robust biointerface through minimally-invasive procedures, and also compatibility with dynamic and wet biological environments. Sutures and staples have been routinely used for wound sealing, tissue engineering, and bioelectronics anchorage; however, they are associated with severe tissue and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), followed by the postreaction with isocyanatoethyl acrylate (IEA), in order to convert the hydroxyl group to acrylate moieties (Figure S1, Supporting Information).…”

Silver Nanowires in Stretchable Resistive Strain Sensors

“…The conducting elements can be carbon-based nanomaterials, metal nanoparticles, metal nanowires, conducting polymers, MXenes, liquid metals, ionic liquids, etc. Fabrication methods such as drop casting, spin coating, dip coating, vacuum filtration, inkjet printing, and spray coating are widely used to prepare stretchable resistive conducting composites [ 34 ].…”