The Feasibility of Healable Electronics and Mechanical Behavior of Silver Nanowire (AgNW)/Healable Polymer Composite

Abstract

The future of electronics is expected to include healable and wearable devices and systems. To realize this futuristic perspective, several smart conductive materials possessing the characteristics of being healable, flexible, and/or stretchable, are introduced. Silver nanowire (AgNW) healable polymer composite is one of the more promising candidates for this class of material. This ability of AgNW polymer composite to be healable under practical operating conditions is demonstrated. Specifically cracks induced by both mechanical and electrical loading are demonstrated to be healed by thermal treatment. Furthermore, a fatigue test of the AgNW healable conductor is conducted to investigate its mechanical behavior, an important prerequisite for the deployment of new materials. As a proof of concept, a healable touch panel is fabricated to demonstrate its feasibility, laying a stepping stone for future healable electronics.