Highly Conductive and Stretchable Ag Nanodendrite-Based Composites for Application in Nanoelectronics

Abstract

Stretchable flexible conductive composites have received considerable attention recently. In this study, highly conductive and stretchable composites were synthesized using Ag microflakes (AgMFs), Ag nanodendrites (AgNDs), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The AgNDs are prepared by a facile replacement reaction between silver nitrate and zinc powder. The AgMFs/AgNDs/TPU flexible conductive composites show excellent electrical (8.28 × 10–5 Ω·cm), mechanical, and flexible properties, which can be bent, twisted, and stretched (elongation at break is as high as 250%). During the deformation process, the AgNDs act as conducting bridges between AgMFs. This resulted in good conductive stability of flexible conductive composites under bending, twisting, and stretching. The significant electromechanical properties are also demonstrated by a simple flexible circuit composed of a light-emitting diode (LED) and the stretchable conductor. The AgMFs/AgNDs/TPU flexible conductive films were bent or twisted 10000 times, and the LED can still work well. Taken together, the AgMFs/AgNDs/TPU flexible conductive composites with outstanding electrical and mechanical properties are especially suitable for the flexible electronics device applications.