PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF CONDUCTIVE TECHNICAL FABRICS TO SMART TEXTILES

Abstract

Cotton fabrics were used in this study to create electrically conductive pathways through printing with conductive materials. Graphite and a mixture of graphite oxide with manganese oxide were utilized as conductive inks in screen printing. To create the conductive ink, conductive materials were mixed with other substances such as thickener, moisturizer, and water. The viscosity of the ink was 10 mPa.s. After printing on the cotton fabric samples, the effect of conductive concentration on electrical conductivity was examined. It was found that a 5% concentration of graphite achieved the highest conductivity (1.75 × 10-5 S.cm-1). To further improve conductivity, multiple layers of conductive ink were printed on the fabric. Three layers were applied, with the first and third containing graphite and the second containing graphite oxide and manganese oxide (battery core). The conductivity values reached 6.5 × 10-3 S.cm-1. This conductive fabric was used in the creation of electronic smart clothing to measure the human body temperature index. The conductive ink printed on the fabric served as a link between electronic components, transmitting electrical signals. In addition, a smart product using conductive yarns was created as a comparison to the conductive ink. Results showed that the sensor signal was transmitted well and readings were consistent.