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Highly Stretchable Conductors Based on Expanded Graphite Macroconfined in Tubular Rubber
Wei Luo1,2, Tongfei Wu2, Biqiong Chen2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University , Chengdu 610065, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 16, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a simple method to create highly stretchable and durable electrical conductors using expanded graphite within rubber tubing. These conductors offer high conductivity and reliable performance under strain, suitable for wearable devices and sensors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Stretchable conductors are crucial for advanced technologies like wearable devices and robotics.
- Existing fabrication methods face challenges in achieving high conductivity, large elastic limits, and reliability cost-effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile, effective, and economical method for fabricating high-performance stretchable tubular conductors (TCs).
- To investigate the electrical properties and mechanical reliability of TCs under various strain conditions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TCs by physically packing expanded graphite (EG) within rubber tubing.
- Characterization of electrical conductivity and strain response under tensile testing.
- Adjustment of conductivity and stretchability by varying EG packing density.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum electrical conductivity of 160.6 S/cm.
- Demonstrated a low gauge factor (<3) even at 400% strain for TCs with a packing density of 1.233 g/cm³.
- Exhibited stable conductivity during dynamic stretching-releasing cycles due to rapid reconstruction of the EG percolation network.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a simple and economic route to high-performance stretchable conductors.
- The TCs exhibit tunable conductivity, high stretchability, and excellent reliability, making them suitable for applications like strain sensors and interconnects in human motion detection.
