Metallisation of Textiles and Protection of Conductive Layers: An Overview of Application Techniques

Abstract

The rapid growth in wearable technology has recently stimulated the development of conductive textiles for broad application purposes, i.e., wearable electronics, heat generators, sensors, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, optoelectronic and photonics. Textile material, which was always considered just as the interface between the wearer and the environment, now plays a more active role in different sectors, such as sport, healthcare, security, entertainment, military, and technical sectors, etc. This expansion in applied development of e-textiles is governed by a vast amount of research work conducted by increasingly interdisciplinary teams and presented systematic review highlights and assesses, in a comprehensive manner, recent research in the field of conductive textiles and their potential application for wearable electronics (so called e-textiles), as well as development of advanced application techniques to obtain conductivity, with emphasis on metal-containing coatings. Furthermore, an overview of protective compounds was provided, which are suitable for the protection of metallized textile surfaces against corrosion, mechanical forces, abrasion, and other external factors, influencing negatively on the adhesion and durability of the conductive layers during textiles’ lifetime (wear and care). The challenges, drawbacks and further opportunities in these fields are also discussed critically.

Digitally-embroidered liquid metal electronic textiles for wearable wireless systems

“…Nevertheless, the functionalities, performance, and sensing opportunities available to such devices are constrained by the button-size footprint 10 . Textile functional system can be fabricated by printing/coating functional material such as conductive fillers into porous structure of the substrate textiles 2 , 11 , 12 . However, due to the mechanical mismatch, these approaches are prone to failures such as cracks and delamination.…”

Review of Fiber- or Yarn-Based Wearable Resistive Strain Sensors: Structural Design, Fabrication Technologies and Applications

“…Metal nanomaterials can be assembled on the surface of fibers or yarns by methods such as in situ reduction, sputtering, electrochemical deposition and chemical deposition [67]. However, the bonding force between the conductive coating and the polymer fiber layer is usually poor, and the conductive coating easily peels off due to mechanical deformation, resulting in poor stability.…”

A Review of Electro Conductive Textiles Utilizing the Dip-Coating Technique: Their Functionality, Durability and Sustainability

“…Metal and metal-based compounds are the next group of electro conductive materials suitable for dip-coating of textiles, although reports on their deposition on textile fibers/fabrics via low-cost dip coating methods are rather scarce [ 50 , 51 ]. Some other processes are used more frequently for textiles’ metallization, as reviewed by [ 52 ]. Dip-coating by metal nanoparticles (NPs) or nanowires (NWs) gives superior electrical conductivity compared with other conductive compounds, although thick metal layer(s) on the fibrous surface could lead to reduced flexibility and bendability of the textiles, and, consequently, make them less comfortable for wearing due to the rigidity of the metals.…”