Toward Robust Electrical Heating Textiles: Factors Influencing Electrical Heating Performance and Durability

The increasing demand for high-performance and durable e-textiles has driven the exploration of conductive coatings that combine electrical functionality with mechanical robustness. This work presents the development of conductive inks for e-textile applications, focusing on how binder selection, coating architecture, and MWCNT loading govern critical performance factors, including wettability, conductivity, Joule heating, mechanical durability, and bending resistance. The sample surfaces were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy before and after washing and rubbing cycles. The biobinder created a hydrophilic surface with improved conductivity and enhanced electrical heating performance. The coated fabric showed increased resistance to bending, reduced bending durability, and lower washing and rubbing fastness. Meanwhile, the A-5001 binder exhibited higher resistance, lower conductivity, and lower temperatures under voltage but provided better washing and rubbing fastness, bending durability, and improved flexibility. We examined a hybrid approach using both binders, with the A-5001 binder applied in the first and third layers to improve durability and flexibility and the OC-Biobinder used as the middle layer to enhance conductivity and Joule heating. This approach utilizes the complementary properties of both the binders, enhancing the performance and providing a robust pathway toward durable and functional e-textiles.