AN OVERVIEW OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING TEXTILES

Abstract

Textiles are having evolution from being normal protective clothing to smart and technical textiles. Electrically conducting fabrics forms the backbone of being smart textiles. The smart textile combines electronics with textile structures, referred to as “textronics”. One major challenge to the success of such wearable smart textile resides in the development of lightweight and flexible components, and fibrous structures with high electrical conductivity able to withstand the stresses associated with wearing and caring for the textile. Therefore, flexible, deformable, stretchable, and durable conductive textile materials are needed for durable smart fabrics that capture and convey information and enable computing while accommodating the drape and movement of the human body. In recent decades, numerous approaches have been made in research to address this challenge using the flexibility and versatility of textile structures, along with innovations in the field of particulate and fibrous materials. This review focuses on the methods of synthesis of electrically conducting textiles and their applications. Particularly, it summarizes textile based multi-functional devices and their potential applications for portable or wearable functional integrated electronics, energy conversion & storage devices, sensors and actuators. The methods of fabrication like incorporation of conducting polymers are briefly discussed.