Highly Stretchable, Conductive Polymer Electrodes with a Mixed AgPdCu and PTFE Network Interlayer for Stretchable Electronics

A highly stretchable, conductive polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) electrode consisting of a mixed AgPdCu (APC) and PTFE network interlayer on a polyurethane substrate is fabricated at room temperature. The PTFE/APC-PTFE/PTFE multilayer deposited through continuous sputtering of carbon nanotubes of the mixed PTFE and APC targets, and the resulting material exhibit a sheet resistance of 33.6 ± 6.17 Ohm per square and a stretchability of 40%. The metallic APC-PTFE network interlayer provides a conducting path for the PTFE/APC-PTFE/PTFE multilayer, and it maintains a reversible conductivity until the electrode has been stretched up to 40%. In addition, the sputtered PTFE/APC-PTFE/PTFE multilayer shows semi-transparency about 47% in the visible wavelength region. The multilayered material shows a minimal change in resistance after 10 000 cycles of repeated stretching under a constant 20% strain. In addition, the stretchable PTFE/APC-PTFE/PTFE electrode is confirmed to be resilient outer/inner bending, folding, rolling, and twisting tests. Through successful operation of stretchable interconnectors, stretchable film heaters, and stretchable electroluminescent devices, it is confirmed that sputtered PTFE/APC-PTFE/PTFE films can be promising stretchable electrodes for next-generation stretchable electronics.