A simple method of fabricating nickel-coated cotton fabrics for wearable strain sensor

Conductive fabrics have achieved significant attention in the field of wearable electronics. Herein, a novel and simple method was developed to fabricate nickel-coated cotton fabrics. Triazine groups were bonded onto the cotton fabrics through treating by cyanuric chloride solution to absorb silver ions and to form a catalytical layer on the fabrics, which could successfully initiate the subsequent electroless deposition (ELD) of nickel (Ni). The cyanuric chloride concentration and ELD time were optimized. Compared to conventional methods, superior conductivity as well as good adhesion was obtained because of the stable affinity of triazine groups to metals. The surface conductivity of the as-prepared Ni-coated fabrics was as high as 21.82 S cm−1. The strain sensing properties of the Ni-coated fabrics were studied, demonstrating high sensitivity and rapid response. These attractive properties of the Ni-coated cotton fabrics suggest that the proposed method is expected to be used in the fabrication of wearable strain sensors.