Colorful Conductive Threads for Wearable Electronics: Transparent Cu-Ag Nanonets

Electronic textiles have been regarded as the basic building blocks for constructing a new generation of wearable electronics. However, the electronization of textiles often changes their original properties such as color, softness, glossiness, or flexibility. Here a rapid room-temperature fabrication method toward conductive colorful threads and fabrics with Ag-coated Cu (Cu-Ag) nanonets is demonstrated. Cu-Ag core-shell nanowires are produced through a one-pot synthesis followed by electroless deposition. According to the balance of draining and entraining forces, a fast dip-withdraw process in a volatile solution is developed to tightly wrap Cu-Ag nanonets onto the fibers of thread. The modified threads are not only conductive, but they also retain their original features with enhanced mechanical stability and dry-wash durability. Furthermore, various e-textile devices are fabricated such as a fabric heater, touch screen gloves, a wearable real-time temperature sensor, and warm fabrics against infrared thermal dissipation. These high quality and colorful conductive textiles will provide powerful materials for promoting next-generation applications in wearable electronics.