Silver dendrites based electrically conductive composites, towards the application of stretchable conductors

Abstract Among reported stretchable conductors, electrically conductive composites (ECCs) have the advantages of low cost, simplicity in circuit design and fabrication, and good reliability. However, the resistivity of conventional stretchable ECCs usually increases during stretching as a result of the loss of contact between neighboring conductive fillers. Here we prepared stretchable ECCs filled with silver dendrites. Due to the high aspect ratio, hierarchy structure, and multiple contact points in all dimensions, ECCs filled with silver dendrites have lower percolation threshold compared with conventional ECCs filled with silver particles or flakes. Moreover, ECCs filled with silver dendrites show a unique decrease in resistivity during stretching. The resistivity can decrease from 5 × 10−4 Ω·cm to as low as 1.1 × 10−4 Ω·cm at 100% elongation. Due to the high conductivity during stretching, the ECCs are used to prepare stretchable capacitors and antennas, demonstrating the stable electrical performance of ECCs under strain.