Effect of multiscale hybrid fillers on the electrical conductivity of silicone-based conductive textiles

Abstract

Synergistic combinations of the microsized copper filler and nanosized conductive fillers were applied to silicone-based conductive textile for improvement of electrical conductivity. Conductive composite textiles (CCTs) were manufactured through screen-printing and subsequent thermal curing of polydimethylsiloxane containing hybrid fillers. We examined changes in the electrical properties of the CCTs according to the type and concentration of nanosized fillers including silver nanowires, graphene nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes. It was found that upon the addition of 0.5 wt% graphene, the electrical resistance was improved by 27% compared to that of the original CCT owing to the formation of an excellent conductive network.