A highly stretchable AgNWs@VPDMS–PMHS conductor exhibiting a stretchability of 800%

•AgNWs@VPDMS-PMHS cross-linked network conductor was fabricated via one-step route.•AgNWs@VPDMS-PMHS conductor exhibited a stretchability of 800.•AgNWs@VPDMS-PMHS conductor exhibited a notable retention capability•AgNWs@VPDMS-PMHS conductor remained high.

An one-step strategy has been designed to fabricate the conductive material which was based on the nanocomposite of silver nanowires (AgNWs) and vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane-poly(methylhydrogensiloxane) (VPDMS–PMHS) cross-linked network. The interconnected AgNWs within the reciprocal architecture could effectively accommodate strain and show fairly good tolerance to stretching (stretchability of 800%), bending and twisting before they ruptured into patches. Moreover, the repeated operation of light-emitting diode (LED) circuit on AgNWs@VPDMS–PMHS under different working conditions was successfully demonstrated.

Graphical abstractA novel AgNWs@VPDMS–PMHS material with excellent flexibility has been formulated via one-step route. The interconnected nanowires within the reciprocal architecture not only can effectively accommodate strain and show fairly good tolerance to stretching before they rupture into patches, but also can significantly improve the conductivity of AgNWs@VPDMS–PMHS under large strain.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide