Tannic acid facilitated layer-by-layer nanoarchitectonics for hydrophobic conductive cotton fabric with improved...

Conductive cotton fabrics (CF) prepared using layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly are primarily driven by electrostatic interactions, facing challenges such as reliance on a single driving force and poor stability. In this study, we fabricated conductive CF through LBL assembly of tannic acid (TA) and cellulose nanofiber-dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNF-CNT) on the fabric surface. A subsequent hydrophobic treatment with stearic acid (STA) resulted in hydrophobic conductive CF (S/CCT/CF). The strong adhesion provided by the TA effectively anchor the CNF-CNT to the fabric surface, while the STA enhances the stability of the conductive CF, providing excellent resistance to tape peeling, ultrasonic washing, and water droplet impact. Furthermore, we evaluated the thermal management and sensing performance of S/CCT/CF. It exhibited exceptional electrothermal conversion capability, reaching temperatures of up to 119 °C at 12 V, and demonstrated stable thermal performance even after ~2330 bending cycles. Additionally, it displayed high sensitivity (GF = 8.75), rapid response times (0.24 s), and outstanding sensing stability, effectively monitoring human movements such as joint bending, chewing, and swallowing. The innovative use of the TA in LBL assembly offers valuable insights for designing low-cost, durable conductive fabrics, paving the way for the development of advanced smart textiles.