Polypyrrole coated nylon lycra fabric as stretchable electrode for supercapacitor applications

Wearable electronics offer the combined advantages of both electronics and fabrics. Being an indispensable part of these electronics, lightweight, stretchable and wearable power sources are strongly demanded. Here we describe a daily-used nylon lycra fabric coated with polypyrrole as electrode for stretchable supercapacitors. Polypyrrole was synthesized on the fabric via a simple chemical polymerization process with ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant and naphthalene-2,6-disulfonic acid disodium salt (Na2NDS) as a dopant. This material was characterized with FESEM, FTIR, tensile stress, and studied as a supercapacitor electrode in 1.0 M NaCl. This conductive textile could endure 1000 stretching cycles with 100% strain applied, and still retained its electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties. Interestingly, we also found that this material showed improved electrochemical properties when it was being stretched.

► The resistance of polypyrrole-coated fabric decreased with increasing elongation applied.
► This conductive fabric could endure large strain stretching cycles and sustain its properties.
► Its electrochemical properties were enhanced with the fabric being stretched.