Superstretchable electrode based on hierarchical assembly of triblock copolymer fiber membrane

Stretchable electronics have attracted great interest due to their mechanical flexibility similar to tissues. In this paper, a superstretchable fiber membrane is designed based on step by step assembly of electrospun poly(styreneethylene/butylene-styrene) (SEBS), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and electropolymerized polyaniline (PANi). The prepared soft membrane has a hierarchical micro-nano structure, forms a good interface with the triblock copolymer fiber, and shows good electromechanical performance. The electrical conductivity of the membrane is about 2.40 S.cm(-1), the tensile strength and the maximum tensile strain can reach 8.2 MPa and 1200% respectively, while the Young's modulus is only about 0.26 MPa. The conductivity of the prepared membrane remains stable after 1000 cycles, and the fractured composite membrane can be healed by hot pressing. In addition, this stretchable composite membrane has been successfully demonstrated to detect various human motions, and can even work underwater. Our results provide a simple and controllable method to achieve the stable soft stretchable electronics with large strain, and demonstrate promising potential in the expanded application of human motion monitoring.

Automated summary

This study presents a superstretchable fiber membrane with good electromechanical performance, stable electrical conductivity, and underwater working capability. The membrane shows promising potential in the field of human motion monitoring.