A Review of Elastic Conductive Textiles: Classification,Fabrication,and Emerging Applications

Abstract

Elastic conductive textiles, as a core component of smart textiles and wearable electronics, integrate electronic functionality with textile comfort, flexibility, and stretchability, and are rapidly progressing toward multifunctionality and engineering implementation. This review aims to systematically outline the key advances in the field of elastic conductive textiles. In particular, three mainstream fabrication strat-egies are summarized and critically evaluated: structural design based on macro-/micro-architectures;surface modification coatings using conductive poly-mers,carbon nanomaterials, and metallic materials; and composite fibres formed by blending conductive fillers with elastic matrices. For each route, representative fab-rication methods, physico-chemical mechanisms, and engineering benefits are dis-cussed. Building on this, the review further presents specific emerging applications of elastic conductive textiles. Finally, current challenges are summarized and future directions are envisioned. This review intends to provide researchers in related fields with a clear research framework and technical reference, in order to accelerate the development of functional, comfortable smart wearable systems.