Phase separation regulated microfiber networking for strain-insensitive electronics

Soft conductive composites that maintain high and stable electrical conductivity even when stretched are essential for the advancement of soft robotics and for devices that are worn on the skin or implanted in the body. In a recent study published in Nature Nanotechnology, Yan and colleagues introduced a phase-separation technique that regulates the assembly of silver nanowires to form well-designed percolation networks. This technique produces a porous Ag NW nanocomposite (PSPN) that achieves a drastically reduced percolation threshold (V_c = 0.00062), lowered by 48 times, and maintains its electrical integrity even when subjected to strains exceeding 600%. From a materials standpoint, these remarkable properties stem from the multi-scale porous polymer matrices that help dissipate stress and the rigid conductive fillers that adjust to changes in geometry caused by strain.