Conductive Textiles for Signal Sensing and Technical Applications
Md. Golam Sarower Rayhan, M. Khalid Hasan Khan, Mahfuza Tahsin Shoily, Habibur Rahman, Md. Rakibur Rahman, Md. Tusar Akon, Mahfuzul Hoque, Md Rayhan Khan, Tanvir Rayhan Rifat, Fahmida Akter Tisha, Ibrahim Hossain Sumon, Abdul Wahab Fahim, Mohammad Abbas Uddin, Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem
Abstract
Conductive textiles have found notable applications as electrodes and sensors capable of detecting biosignals like the electrocardiogram (ECG), electrogastrogram (EGG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and electromyogram (EMG), etc; other applications include electromagnetic shielding, supercapacitors, and soft robotics. There are several classes of materials that impart conductivity, including polymers, metals, and non-metals. The most significant materials are Polypyrrole (PPy), Polyaniline (PANI), Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), carbon, and metallic nanoparticles. The processes of making conductive textiles include various deposition methods, polymerization, coating, and printing. The parameters, such as conductivity and electromagnetic shielding, are prerequisites that set the benchmark for the performance of conductive textile materials. This review paper focuses on the raw materials that are used for conductive textiles, various approaches that impart conductivity, the fabrication of conductive materials, testing methods of electrical parameters, and key technical applications, challenges, and future potential.