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

Fiber-based electronics enabling lightweight and mechanically flexible/stretchable functions are desirable for numerous e-textile/e-skin optoelectronic applications. This work reports the preparation of 3D-inorganic nanofiber network (FN) films using blow-spinning, including IGZO, copper oxide, indium-tin oxide, and copper metal. IGZO FN-based thin-film transistors show negligible performance degradation after bending and excellent gas sensing. The stretchable metal oxide FNs, laminated onto elastomers, yield multifunctional sensors detecting analytes, light, strain, pressure, temperature, humidity, body movement, and respiration with excellent sensitivity and response time, making them promising for versatile wearable electronics.

Binghao Wang, Anish Thukral, Zhaoqian Xie, Limei Liu, Xinan Zhang, Wei Huang, Xinge Yu, Cunjiang Yu, Tobin J. Marks, Antonio Facchetti