Janus AgNWs Deposited Composite Membrane-Yarn for Multi-Functional Wearable Electronics: Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Strain Sensing, Joule Heating

Abstract

Flexible multi-functional yarn plays a significant role in the development of flexible wearable devices. In this work, the influence of the components of silver nanowires (AgNWs) with two different lengths, their assembly methods with polyurethane (TPU), the spraying volume of AgNWs and the pre-stretching process on the sensing performance were systematically investigated to develop TPU/AgNWs strain sensing yarn (TASY). The synchronous optimization of multi-functions was achieved by establishing Janus asymmetric conductive networks. The Janus composite nanofiber membrane showed an outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding performance with around 40 dB and high shielding efficiency of 99.99%. The strain range of TASY can reach 122%, and the gauge factor within the linear interval of 0–80% was 37.34 with the high linearity of 0.984. Meanwhile, bending and twisting deformations can also be effectively detected. In addition, TASY can reach a temperature of 108 ℃ at a low voltage of 1.4 V. The linear relationship between temperature and the square of voltage was as high as 0.998. The power density was greater than 4500 W/m². The high stability was achieved for Joule heating and strain sensing. The excellent comprehensive performance can provide support to develop the multi-functional wearable electronics.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

AgNWs / Electrospinning / Spraying / Electromagnetic interference / Strain sensing / Joule heating

References

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Funding

Science and Technology Guidance Project of China National Textile and Apparel Council(2024033)

Jiangsu Province Young Scientific and Technological Talents Promotion Plan(JSTJ-2025-436)

Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department(24A0516)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China