Ultraviolet curing technology plus chemical copper plating: A novel method for producing highly durable fabric-based flexible circuit

The construction of flexible circuits is a crucial and challenging aspect in the design and fabrication of fabric-based flexible electronics, which hold significant potential for various applications. In this study, we successfully developed high-precision and durable fabric-based flexible circuits by ingeniously combining ultraviolet light (UV)-curing technology with chemical plating. Specifically, a UV coating containing Ag/Fe 3 O 4 catalysts was applied onto polyester fabric surface, followed by printing the designed circuit structure diagram onto the fabric using UV light-directed curing of the coating, and fabric-based flexible circuits were then fabricated through chemical plating process. The fabric-based flexible circuits exhibit only minimal increases in resistance following durability testing, including bending (8000 times), abrasion (2000 times), high and low temperature stability (−30 to 60°C), and high temperature/humidity stability (65°C, RH = 95%, 48 h), which remains consistently stable. This developed technology holds immense potential across various applications for smart wearable devices.