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

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16268-8
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15T10:05:00Z
• Authors: Binghao Wang; Anish Thukral; Zhaoqian Xie; Limei Liu; Xinan Zhang; Wei Huang; Xinge Yu; Cunjiang Yu; Tobin J. Marks; Antonio Facchetti
• Keywords: Flexible Electronics; Indium tin oxide; Stretchable electronics; Wearable Technology

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