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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue

Next-Generation Conductive Polymer Composites for Flexible and Wearable Electronics

  1. Mude Sreenivasulu Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Kishkinda University, Ballari
  2. Shaik Taj Mahaboob Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, JNTUA College of Engineering, Pulivendula
  3. Rajkumari Narnaware Department of Computer Science and Engineering, St. Peter's Engineering College, Hyderabad
  4. Shailaja Mantha Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, Hyderabad
  5. Manisha Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering, Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), Dwarka
  6. Pankaj Agarwal School of Engineering & Technology, K.R. Mangalam University

Abstract

The rising demand for flexible and wearable electronics has accelerated research into conductive polymer composites (CPCs) due to their lightweight nature, electrical conductivity, and mechanical flexibility. Despite significant advancements, challenges such as reduced conductivity under mechanical deformation and limited durability persist. This study aims to develop next-generation CPCs with enhanced conductivity, flexibility, and self-healing capabilities. Hybrid nanofillers—graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and silver nanowires (AgNWs)—were incorporated into bio-based conductive polymers through solution casting and ultra-sonication to achieve uniform dispersion. A self-healing mechanism was introduced using microcapsules containing healing agents and dynamic covalent bonding. Morphological and structural analyses were conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), while electrical conductivity was measured using a four-point probe system. Mechanical flexibility and self-healing efficiency were evaluated through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and bending cycle tests. The developed composites exhibited a 78% improvement in electrical conductivity and maintained stable performance after 10,000 bending cycles. The self-healing mechanism restored up to 85% of the original conductivity within 20 minutes of damage. The optimized in-situ polymerization process improved matrix-filler bonding, resulting in an increase in crystallinity and conductivity of the final CPC. Importantly, they retained more than 90% conductivity after several bends, making them quite suitable for wearable applications These enhancements highlight the potential of the proposed CPCs in wearable electronics requiring durability, flexibility, and rapid recovery. The improvement in self-healing efficiency will, in turn, offers excellent performance in long-term and reliable devices such as wearable devices. This research is an important advancement in flexible electronics, enabling the development of wearables that are more robust, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly.

Keywords

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