Development and characterization of conductive textile (polyester fabric) for wearable electronics by using electroless metallization

This paper investigated the development and characterization of conductive textured and non-textured polyester fabrics with various cross-sections. To impart conductivity on fabric structures, the electroless copper plating method was chosen. Electrical conductivity, thickness, electron scanning microscopy (SEM), microscopic morphology, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the deposition of copper nanoparticles on textured and non-textured polyester fabrics (EDX). SEM images revealed a thin film of uniform copper nanoparticle coating on textured and non-textured polyester fabrics. Electrical conductivity, wear resistance, thickness, and durability of conductive textured polyester fabrics were compared to non-textured conductive polyester fabrics. Electrical conductivity measurements show that both textured and non-textured polyester fabrics have good electrical conductivity values of 27Ω/cm, 85Ω/cm, 52Ω/cm, 9Ω/cm, 98Ω/cm, 133Ω/cm. When conductive polyester fabrics were tested for durability against washing and rubbing fastness, the textured polyester fabrics retained copper nanoparticles well by maintaining their electrical conductivity level after 250 abrasion and washing cycles, with best electrical conductivity values of 177Ω/cm and 29Ω/cm, respectively.