Control of Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Stretchable Wires Printed with Conductive Pastes Composed of a Polyurethane-based Binder

Abstract

This paper discussed the effect of binder chemistry on electrical conductivity variation due to the tensile deformation of stretchable wires and electrodes printed with polyurethane-based electrically conductive pastes containing silver micro-flakes. Although their electrical conductivity usually showed a significant variation during uniaxial cyclic tensions, some polyurethane-based binders, including polyhydroxyurethane, effectively suppressed the electrical conductivity variation. The polyhydroxyurethane-based wires and electrodes' electrical conductivity was significantly stabilized by mixing a cross-linking agent into the binder. Binder chemistry is one of the critical factors in developing novel electrically conductive pastes for printing stretchable wires and electrodes.