Ultra-robust stretchable electrode for e-skin: in situ assembly using a nanofiber scaffold and liquid metal to mimic water-to-net interaction

Abstract The development of stretchable electronics will thrive on the novel interface structure to solve the stretchability-conductivity dilemma, which is still a great challenge. Herein, we report a nano-liquid metal (LM)-based high-robust stretchable electrode (NHSE) with a self-adaptable interface that mimics water-to-net interaction. Based on in situ assembly of electrospun elastic nanofibers scaffold and electrosprayed LM nanoparticles, the NHSE exhibits an extremely low sheet resistance of 52 mΩ/□. It is not only insensitive to a large degree of mechanical stretching (i.e., 350% electrical resistance change upon 570% elongation), but also immune to cyclic deformation (i.e., 5% electrical resistance increase after 100,000 stretching cycles with 100% elongation). These key properties are far more superior to the state-of-the-art reports. Its robustness and stability are verified under diverse circumstances, including long-term exposure in air (420 days), cyclic washing (30,000 times), and resilience against mechanical damages. The combination of conductivity, stretchability and durability makes the NHSE a promising conductor/electrode solution to flexible/stretchable electronics for applications such as wearable on-body physiological signal detection.