Revolutionizing smart textiles: a comprehensive review of conductive ink printing for sustainable and adaptive wearable applications

Purpose - The demand of species monitoring for the benefit of various sectors such as industrial, medicinal and ecological has surged rapidly in the recent past. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to articulate the major developments in synthesizing conductive inks for the structurization of miniaturized as well as disposable or reusable electrochemical equipments. Design/methodology/approach - This section is not applicable to a review paper. Findings - Numerous times the need for the use point becomes significant for achieving accurate as well as swift quantification. As an alternate, the wearable and effectual reuseable electrochemical sensors are being practiced. The technique of fabricating devices using conductive inks encompasses novelty, as it provides flexibility in designing the electrodes. The increase in the popularity of inks development is governed by its features of simplicity, reduced cost and waste generation, high production and eco-friendly engineering procedures. Further, the electrochemistry aspects of conductive inks highlighting the importance of their compounds and binders has also been discussed emphasizing on the conductive materials. Originality/value - This paper is an original review work. This paper will be helpful for manufacturers/ researchers from smart wearable textile sector in envisaging innovative developing techniques of sensors as well as biosensors through conductive inks.