Octopus-like carbon nanomaterial for double high stretchable conductor

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 199; pp. 200 - 207
• Main Authors: Qin, Qiuliang, Zhang, Shaoning, Zhao, Chendong, Xu, Shumao, Wan, Yingjie, Qi, Xiaohuan, Ren, Dayong, Wei, Jianhua, Huang, Fuqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 31.10.2022
• Subjects: Double high; Octopus-like carbon; Percolation network; Stretchable conductor; Wearable electronics; Stretchable conductor; Wearable electronics; Percolation network; Double high; Octopus-like carbon
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.08.023

One dimensional conductive nanowire is an ideal component for efficient percolation network, which is used to construct highly conductive stretchable elastomer in wearable electronics. The percolation network frequently meets with the trade-off between high conductivity and high stretchability (“double high”) due to the interfacial stress concentration between conductive nanowire and elastomer matrix. Inspired by the octopus' structure, a hierarchical carbon nanostructure of carbon nanotubes riveted on carbon sphere (CNTs-CS) is proposed to synthetically couple high conductivity with high stretchability. As the ''octopus body'', carbon sphere anchor into elastomer matrix to allow the uniform distribution of stretching stress. As the ''octopus feet'', highly conductive carbon nanotubes remain robust linkage state under stretching strain, which ensures the generation of highly efficient percolation network. The stretchable conductor (CNTs-CS in Dragonskin) exhibits good conductivity (1.7 × 104 S m−1), stretchability (>550%) and mechanical stability (>5000 cycles). The stretchable conductor is successfully assembled in many stretchable electronic devices, including a LED-based illuminating system without obvious brightness changes under various deformations, and strain sensor exhibiting excellent sensing performance in the detection of human physical signs. This unique design strategy reveals a great application prospect in the wearable electronics. [Display omitted]