Supersonically Sprayed Washable, Wearable, Stretchable, Hydrophobic, and Antibacterial rGO/AgNW Fabric for Multifunctional Sensors and Supercapacitors

Abstract

Wearable electronic textiles are used in sensors, energyharvesting devices, healthcare monitoring, human−machine interfaces, and soft robotics to acquire real-time big data for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Wearability is essential while collecting data from a human, who should be able to wear the device with sufficient comfort. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) were supersonically sprayed onto a fabric to ensure good adhesiveness, resulting in a washable, stretchable, and wearable fabric without affecting the performance of the designed features. This rGO/AgNW-decorated fabric can be used to monitor external stimuli such as strain and temperature. In addition, it is used as a heater and as a supercapacitor and features an antibacterial hydrophobic surface that minimizes potential infection from external airborne viruses or virus-containing droplets. Herein, the wearability, stretchability, washability, mechanical durability, temperature-sensing capability, heating ability, wettability, and antibacterial features of this metallized fabric are explored. This multifunctionality is achieved in a single fabric coated with rGO/AgNWs via supersonic spraying.

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

“…Recently, ultrasonic spraying has been shown as an excellent alternative to support conventional spray coating, where the use of ultrasonic frequencies can easily control droplet size, resulting in more homogeneous dispersions being sprayed (the vibrations‘ break up potentially formed particle clusters) and an improved uniform conductive layer [ 124 ]. Furthermore, supersonic cold spraying (a non-vacuum, binder-free, fast, scalable process) has proven to be very suitable from an industrial point of view, as a strong adhesion is achieved between the deposited material and the textile substrate [ 130 ]. As such, prepared rGO/Ag nanowires fabric can potentially be used for monitoring the external stimuli (e.g., temperature).…”

Textile-Based Mechanical Sensors: A Review

“…A multifunctional mechanical-sensitive fabric is prepared via ultrasonically spraying reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) onto synthetic and 100% natural cotton fabrics (Figure 1f). The obtained fabrics show a good durability and can be washed repeatedly without performance degradation [41]. Luo et al [42] used simple and efficient screen printing to transfer high-performance AgNW inks onto stretchable fabrics (Figure 1g), which presented excellent tensile properties and sensing performance.…”

“…Capacitive TMSs feature properties of high response repeatability, small signal drift, long term cycle stability, and low energy consumption, but they are susceptible to external field interference, relatively low sensitivity, and limited sensing range [44]. [35]; (b) extrusion, reproduced with permission from [36]; (c) printing, reproduced with permission from [37]; and (d) wet spinning, reproduced with permission from [38]; (e) Yarn-based sensors prepared by electrostatic spinning, reproduced with permission from [39]; Fabric-based sensors prepared by (f) spraying, reproduced with permission from [41]; and (g) screen printing, reproduced with permission from ref. [42].…”

“…The capacitance of a sensing device is defined as C = εrεoA/d, where εr is the relative permittivity, εo is the vacuum permittivity, A is the effective area of the electrode, and d is the pole-plate spacing [43]. Therefore, the change of one or more parameters of the permittivity, spacing, or effective area will cause a change in capacitance of the device, and then the magnitude of the mechanical stimulus [35]; (b) extrusion, reproduced with permission from [36]; (c) printing, reproduced with permission from [37]; and (d) wet spinning, reproduced with permission from [38]; (e) Yarn-based sensors prepared by electrostatic spinning, reproduced with permission from [39]; Fabric-based sensors prepared by (f) spraying, reproduced with permission from [41]; and (g) screen printing, reproduced with permission from ref. [42].…”

“…PDMS means polydimethylsiloxane, MWNTs means multi-walled carbon nanotubes, PEDOT:PSS means poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate), rGO means reduced graphene oxide and AgNWs means silver nanowires. Fiber-based sensors prepared by (a) coating, reproduced with permission from[35]; (b) extrusion, reproduced with permission from[36]; (c) printing, reproduced with permission from[37]; and (d) wet spinning, reproduced with permission from[38]; (e) Yarn-based sensors prepared by electrostatic spinning, reproduced with permission from[39]; Fabric-based sensors prepared by (f) spraying, reproduced with permission from[41]; and (g) screen printing, reproduced with permission from ref [42]…”