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Washable heat-resistant and inkjet-printed devices on cotton fabric for wearable applications

Author

Listed:
  • Kyubin Bae

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Bowoong Heo

    (Yonsei University)

  • Kyuhyun Hwang

    (Yonsei University)

  • Eunhwan Jo

    (Kumoh National Institute of Technology)

  • Yunsung Kang

    (Kyungpook National University
    Kyungpook National University)

  • Soonjae Pyo

    (Seoul National University of Science and Technology)

  • Jongbaeg Kim

    (Yonsei University)

Abstract

Electronic textiles (e-textiles) face challenges in maintaining fabric properties and achieving high electrical conductivity with screen printing and particle-based inkjet printing. While particle-free reactive inks enable high-resolution patterning with sufficient electrical conductivity, their application on cellulose-based fibers is hindered by negatively charged surfaces. This study introduces inkjet-printed e-textiles using reactive silver ink and carbon nanotube ink on poly-L-lysine-coated cotton fabric. Carbon nanotubes establish a conductive network that promotes silver ion reduction, yielding densely packed nanoparticles with enhanced conductivity (1.25 × 10⁵ S m⁻¹). The resulting composite functions as a resistive tactile sensor with high sensitivity (6.02 kPa⁻¹) due to the hierarchical structure of cotton fabric. In addition, the inherent heat resistance of cotton facilitates its high-temperature resistance during heating. In this work, the fabricated e-textiles maintain performance through bending, ironing, and washing, inferring our printing technique as a promising strategy for wearable devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyubin Bae & Bowoong Heo & Kyuhyun Hwang & Eunhwan Jo & Yunsung Kang & Soonjae Pyo & Jongbaeg Kim, 2025. "Washable heat-resistant and inkjet-printed devices on cotton fabric for wearable applications," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63636-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63636-3
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