Evaporation-Induced Closely-Packing of Core–Shell PDMS@Ag Microspheres Enabled Stretchable Conductor with Ultra-High Conductance

Abstract

Stretchable conductors are indispensable building blocks for stretchable electronic devices that are used in next-generation wearable electronics, on-skin electronics, and soft robotics. Whereas, the ability to realize synergy high conductance and sufficient conductivity under high strain remains challenging. Herein, a stretchable conductor made from tightly assembled core–shell polydimethylsiloxane@silver microspheres (PDMS@Ag MPs) is elaborated. By judiciously using evaporation-induced capillary effect, 3D interconnected conductive paths consisting of closely packed conductive PDMS@Ag MPs are constructed inside the elastic matrix. The spatially selective distributed Ag-shell enables conductor metallic conductivity (67185 S cm−1) at ultralow Ag fraction (19.5 wt.%), and well-maintained conductance over wide strain (820 S cm−1 at 400%). Due to the suppressed Ag content, both the rapture strain and Young's modulus (613%, 0.79 MPa for CPSC4) of the conductor are largely retained. Besides, the synergy hierarchical surface topology and low surface energy endow conductors with high water-repellent properties. The fabricated conductors with remarkably high conductivity, well-retained conductance under large strain, and robust hydrophobicity are of great significance for advanced stretchable electronics.