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A Simple and Scalable Fabrication Method for Organic Electronic Devices on Textiles
Published on: March 13, 2017
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Transparent conductive graphene textile fibers
A I S Neves1, T H Bointon2, L V Melo3
11] INESC-MN and IN, Rua Alves Redol nº9, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal [2] Centre for Graphene Science, College of Engineering, Mathematics &Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, EX4 4QL, United Kingdom.
Scientific Reports
|May 9, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed the first textile electrode using monolayer graphene transferred to fibers. This flexible graphene-coated yarn offers excellent electrical and optical properties for wearable electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Transparent and flexible electrodes are crucial for modern electronics.
- Existing electrodes are typically applied to rigid substrates like glass or plastic.
- Transparent electrodes on textile substrates remain an underexplored area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the development of transparent electrodes on textile substrates.
- To investigate the potential of monolayer graphene for textile applications.
- To create a flexible and embedded textile electrode.
Main Methods:
- Monolayer graphene grown via chemical vapor deposition on copper foil.
- Transfer of graphene to common textile industry fibers.
- Characterization of electrical, mechanical, and optical properties.
Main Results:
- Graphene-coated fibers achieved a low sheet resistance of ~1 kΩ per square.
- Optical transparency reduced by only 2.3% compared to the Si substrate.
- High stability under mechanical stress was maintained.
- Successful creation of the first textile electrode embedded in yarn.
Conclusions:
- Monolayer graphene is a viable material for transparent textile electrodes.
- The developed graphene-coated fibers are suitable for wearable electronic applications.
- This breakthrough enables truly embedded, flexible electronic functionalities in textiles.
