Electrospining Machine: Research progress of flexible electronic devices based on electrospun nanofibers

Background

Flexible electronics refers to a class of electronic devices and circuits that are designed to bend, stretch, and conform to different surfaces. Manufacturing flexible electronics requires the design of flexible substrates, the identification of inherently soft materials, and the advancement of technologies to facilitate the formation of conductive networks on these flexible substrates. Unlike traditional rigid electronics made of materials such as glass or silicon wafer substrates, flexible electronics utilize flexible substrates and unconventional manufacturing techniques to achieve mechanical flexibility without compromising electrical performance.

In addition, the combination of conductive materials and flexible substrates can synergistically improve the mechanical and electrical properties of electronic products. Therefore, they are widely used in the manufacture of flexible displays, sensors, artificial skin, batteries, capacitors, implantable bioelectronics, etc.

The main point of this paper

Limitations of traditional flexible electronic materials:

Flexible electronic devices made of traditional film substrates (such as polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, etc.) have limited air permeability and moisture permeability, which affects wearing comfort.

Demand for new flexible electronic materials:

Ultra-soft, permeable, and stretchable electronics are advocated to achieve long-term, continuous, and reliable performance.

Advantages of electrospun nanofibers:

Electrospun nanofibers have excellent air permeability, skin adaptability, flexibility, and adjustable mechanical properties, which are suitable for making soft and comfortable electronic devices.

Integration of electrospun nanofibers with skin:

In order to achieve an ideal 3D interface with the skin, excellent conformal ability, high-performance electrophysiological signal acquisition capabilities, and good biocompatibility and air permeability are required.

Physical properties of electrospun nanofibers:

High specific surface area and volume ratio are conducive to efficient charge transport, improving sensitivity and response time.

Incorporation of functional materials:

The porous structure of electrospun nanofibers is conducive to the incorporation of functional materials and effectively simulates the extracellular matrix.

Scalability and cost-effectiveness of electrospinning:

Suitable for large-scale production of flexible electronic components, enhancing its versatility and application potential.

Electrospun nanofibers: a key substrate for flexible electronic devices and their innovative applications

Characteristics of electrospun nanofibers:

Breathability, flexibility, stretchability, and conformability to three-dimensional surfaces make them ideal materials for manufacturing flexible electronic devices.

Review content:

The development and diverse innovative applications of adaptable flexible electronic devices based on electrospun nanofibers are discussed.

Development of key substrates:

The main development of key substrates for flexible electronic devices is reviewed.

Electrospinning technology:

The principles of electrospinning, process parameters affecting electrospinning, and two main electrospinning technologies, single-fluid electrospinning and multi-fluid electrospinning, are discussed.

Latest breakthroughs:

The latest breakthroughs in multifunctional and stretchable electronic devices based on electrospun substrates are highlighted.

Application areas:

Includes flexible sensors, flexible energy harvesting and storage devices, flexible accessories for electronic devices, and flexible environmental monitoring devices.

Challenges and solutions:

The challenges faced in developing electrospun nanofibers for flexible electronic devices, such as interface incompatibility and developing three-dimensional microstructured sensor arrays with gradient geometries, are outlined.

Summarize

Electrospun flexible electronics represent an innovative technology that combines the advantages of electrospinning and flexible electronics for a wide range of applications. These devices utilize electrospinning to produce nanoscale fiber or film substrates to create intrinsically stretchable electronics, including highly sensitive pressure sensors, efficient energy harvesters, and smart responsive wearables with skin-like mechanical properties. Electrospinning is an efficient, simple, and scalable method for producing nanofibers that are well suited for the fabrication of flexible electronics. By modulating the morphology, diameter, and structure of the nanofibers, one can optimize material properties such as conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and chemical stability, providing a wide range of opportunities for the fabrication of electrospun flexible electronics. While significant progress has been made in the development of electrospun flexible electronics, challenges remain in current and future efforts.