Mechanically resilient integrated electronics realized using interconnected 2D gold-nanosheet elastomeric electrodes

Abstract

With the growing interest in wearable devices in recent decades, considerable effort has been devoted to developing mechanical elastomeric devices such as sensors, transistors, logic circuits, and integrated circuits. To successfully implement elastomeric devices subjected to large mechanical deformations or stretching, all the components, including conductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics, must have high stability and mechanical sustainability. Elastomeric conductors, which exhibit excellent electrical performances under mechanical deformations, are key components of elastomeric devices. Herein, we prepared fully elastomeric electrodes based on interconnected 2D gold nanosheets (AuNSs) to develop mechanically resilient integrated electronics. The AuNS elastomeric electrodes exhibited a sheet resistance of less than 2 Ω/sq under 50% stretching and sustained 100,000 stretching–releasing cycles. These electrodes with a dedicated design were used in combination with elastomeric semiconductors of P3HT nanofibrils in the PDMS elastomer (P3NF/PDMS) and an ion gel as a dielectric to realize elastomeric transistors, inverters, and NOR and NAND logic gates. Additionally, an elastomeric 8 × 8 transistor array that can sustain various types of mechanical stimuli was successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, the elastomeric electronic devices implemented on a soft robot showed no interfering performances during robot gripping motion. The proposed framework is expected to aid in the rapid development and broaden the application scope of soft electronics.

Interfacial Capillary Spooling of Conductive Polyurethane–Silver Core–Sheath (PU@Ag) Microfibers for Highly Stretchable Interconnects

“…Stretchable electrical interconnects have played an essential role in deformable electronics that pursue highly sustainable device operation under mechanical stimuli. Electronic skins, textile devices, and soft robots require a new platform of conductive and stretchable materials to meet the conditions for retaining the electrical properties of the interconnects during stretching and bending. − Metal/polymer nanocomposites have been considered strong candidates for stretchable conductors. − However, their percolation models exhibit a trade-off relationship between conductivity and stretchability because the relationship strongly depends on the density of hard and conductive fillers within an elastomeric matrix. ,− Liquid metals overcome the conductivity and stretchability limitations observed in composite materials. , However, the Rayleigh instability of liquid metals due to their high surface tension and native oxide skins accompanies the dewetting and rupturing of liquid-phase electrodes under cyclic stretching motions. , One of the protocols for improving the applicability of liquid metals is introducing liquid metal–polymer core–sheath fibers. Even though they stretch up to a strain of 800% without electrical and mechanical failures, the thick fibers (diameter >1 mm) are not suitable for miniature circuits and device integration .…”