Bridging Oriented Copper Nanowire–Graphene Composites for Solution-Processable, Annealing-Free, and Air-Stable Flexible Electrodes

One-dimensional flexible metallic nanowires (NWs) are of considerable interest for next-generation wearable devices. The unavoidable challenge for a wearable electrode is the assurance of high conductivity, flexibility, and durability with economically feasible materials and simple manufacturing processes. Here, we use a straightforward solvothermal method to prepare a flexible conductive material that contains reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets bridging oriented copper NWs. The GO-assistance route can successfully meet the criteria listed above and help the composite films maintain high conductivity and durable flexibility without any extra treatment, such as annealing or acid processes. The composite film exhibits a high electrical performance (0.808 Ω·sq^–1) without considerable change over 30 days under ambient conditions. Moreover, the Cu NW–RGO composites can be deposited on polyester cloth as a lightweight wearable electrode with high durability and simple processability and are very promising for a wide variety of electronic devices.