Constructing highly conductive silver layers on hydrophobic PET fabrics through synergetic pretreatment of reducing agents and HPMC

Abstract

The development of wearable electronics, energy storage, and smart sensing has significantly increased the demand for highly conductive circuits on textiles. Silver (Ag) is a preferred material due to its excellent electrical conductivity, antibacterial properties, and biocompatibility. However, the hydrophobic nature and low surface energy of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics pose challenges for the adhesion of silver particles, limiting the mechanical durability and washability of conductive layers. This study proposes a novel strategy combining the synergetic pretreatment of PET fabrics using reducing agent ascorbic acid (AA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to enhance the deposition of silver layers. The AA facilitates the conversion of silver ions to metallic silver, while HPMC forms a uniform film on the fabric surface, providing anchoring points for silver particles through hydrogen bonding. The resulting silver layers exhibit high conductivity, uniformity, and durability, as confirmed by SEM, XRD, and XPS analyses. The treated fabrics demonstrate low electrical resistance and excellent abrasion resistance after multiple washes and rubbing. This method offers a simple, scalable, and cost-effective approach for constructing conductive textiles, with potential applications in wearable electronics and smart sensing.