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Updated: Jul 10, 2025
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A Fabrication Method for Highly Stretchable Conductors with Silver Nanowires
Published on: January 21, 2016
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Stretchable and Lithography-Compatible Interconnects Enabled by Self-Assembled Nanofilms with Interlocking Interfaces
Xiang Li1,2, Yuxuan Lin1,2, Lei Cui1,2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 21, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed stretchable silver interconnects using a novel nanodielectric layer. This breakthrough enables high-density, deformable electronics with excellent conductivity and stretchability, paving the way for advanced flexible circuits.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- High-density integration of deformable electronics requires stretchable interconnects.
- Achieving high-resolution patterning of stretchable conductors remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a photolithographically patternable stretchable conductor with preserved conductivity and stretchability.
- To investigate the effect of microscale feature dimensions on the performance of stretchable interconnects.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of silver and elastomeric nanodielectric films using layer-by-layer assembly.
- Photolithographic patterning of self-assembled silver nanofilms interlocked by nanodielectrics.
- Characterization of conductivity, stretchability, and crack propagation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- As-fabricated silver nanofilms exhibit conductivity of 1.54 × 10^6 S m^-1 and stretchability of ~200% without annealing.
- Photolithographically defined AgNP microstrips show enhanced stretchability at 100 μm widths due to confined cracks.
- Serpentine architectures reduce resistance change in silver interconnects.
Conclusions:
- A self-assembled silver nanofilm/elastomeric nanodielectric system enables high-resolution patterning of stretchable interconnects.
- The nanodielectric layer effectively impedes crack propagation, enhancing mechanical robustness.
- Demonstrated application as stretchable circuit boards for powering LEDs.
