Ultra-stretchable and multifunctional wearable electronics for superior electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical therapy and biomotion monitoring

Abstract

Multifunctional and flexible intelligent devices are urgently desired to solve increasingly serious environmental concerns on human bodies. However, rendering the devices’ multifunctionalities without sacrificing their innate flexibility and properties remains a huge challenge. Herein, a facile and efficient strategy with Ag precursor reduction followed by spraying technique is employed to fabricate a multifunctional and ultra-stretchable fibrous film by incorporation of electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fibrous film, biocompatible polydopamine (PDA), highly conductive Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets, wherein PDA protects AgNPs from oxidation and enhances the bond between AgNPs and TPU, MXene is used to promote the electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI) and strain sensing performance. The optimized TPU/PDA/AgNPs/MXene fibrous film (TAMF) exhibits an ultra-high electrical conductivity of 95238 S/m, outstanding EMI shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of 108.8 dB and high specific shielding effectiveness up to 12342.8 dB cm2 g−1 with a thickness of 150 μm in the X-band. The flexible fibrous mat also possesses excellent Joule heating capability (up to 80 °C at the voltage of 1 V), excellent mechanosensation ability with a low detection limit of 0.1% strain, a high gauge factor of 7853, a wide sensing range of 200% strain, as well as satisfactory flexibility, porosity and breathability, enabling the fascinating multifunctional perspectives in wearable electromagnetic wave protection, electrical therapy and human-machine interaction. Keywords: Electronic device; Ag nanoparticles; MXene nanosheet; electromagnetic interference; electrical therapy