Flexible and stretchable metal oxide nanofiber networks for multimodal and monolithically integrated wearable electronics

Abstract

Fiber-based electronics enabling lightweight and mechanically flexible/stretchable functions are desirable for numerous e-textile/e-skin optoelectronic applications. These wearable devices require low-cost manufacturing, high reliability, multifunctionality and long-term stability. Here, we report the preparation of representative classes of 3D-inorganic nanofiber network (FN) films by a blow-spinning technique, including semiconducting indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) and copper oxide, as well as conducting indium-tin oxide and copper metal. Specifically, thin-film transistors based on IGZO FN exhibit negligible performance degradation after one thousand bending cycles and exceptional room-temperature gas sensing performance. Owing to their great stretchability, these metal oxide FNs can be laminated/embedded on/into elastomers, yielding multifunctional single-sensing resistors as well as fully monolithically integrated e-skin devices. These can detect and differentiate multiple stimuli including analytes, light, strain, pressure, temperature, humidity, body movement, and respiratory functions. All of these FN-based devices exhibit excellent sensitivity, response time, and detection limits, making them promising candidates for versatile wearable electronics.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 15, 2020
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-020-16268-8

Entities

People

  • Anish Thukral
  • Antonio Facchetti
  • Binghao Wang
  • Cunjiang Yu
  • Limei Liu
  • Tobin J. Marks
  • Wei Huang
  • Xinan Zhang
  • Xinge Yu
  • Zhaoqian Xie

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • National Science Foundation

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene