Work

Highly conductive silver layers with self-healing abilities for stretchable electronics and beyond

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The reliability of stretchable and washable electronics remains limited by the lack of conductive materials that combine mechanical resilience with environmental stability. In this work, we introduce a family of self-healing silver composites formulated with conductive silver flakes settled into tailored polymer matrices optimized for screen printing and textile integration. Three polymers: thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), were evaluated with various solvent systems to achieve optimal rheological and electrical properties. By tuning polymer–solvent interactions, the resulting screen-printable pastes exhibit conductivities up to 0.58 MS/m on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil and sheet resistances as low as 0.028 Ω/□ while transferred onto textile. The use of a dual adhesive system (printed and powder glue) enhanced adhesion and uniformity, while encapsulation significantly improved washing durability. After multiple washing cycles, insulated samples retained low sheet resistance, and post-wash heat pressing restored up to 80% of initial conductivity, confirming self-healing behaviour. Mechanical testing revealed excellent flexibility and resilience, with TPU/ethyl nicotinate layers sustaining elongations up to 93% and maintaining stable resistance during cyclic loading. Abrasion endurance exceeded 70,000 cycles for optimized systems. Overall, the developed silver-polymer composites provide a scalable approach toward durable, repairable, and washable conductive paths for wearable and stretchable electronics. This work establishes a foundation for practical, long-lasting, and sustainable e-textile technologies suitable for healthcare, soft robotics, and next-generation smart clothing.

Source: Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials

DOI: 10.1007/s42114-026-01757-z