Electronic textiles (e-textiles) are about to face tremendous environmental and resource challenges due to the complexity of sorting, the risk to supplies and metal contamination in textile recycling streams. This is because e-textiles are heavily based on the integration of valuable metals, including gold, silver and copper. In the context of exploring sustainable materials in e-textiles, we tested the boundaries of multi-layer (ML) graphene in wearable communication applications, in which metal assemblies are leading the way in wearable communication. This study attempts to create a soft, textile-based communication interface that does not disrupt tactile comfort and conformity by introducing ML graphene sheets. The antenna design proposed is based on a multidisciplinary approach that merges electromagnetic engineering and material science and integrates graphene, a long-lasting alternative to metal components. The designed antenna covers a wide bandwidth ranging from 3 GHz to 9 GHz, which is a promising solution for a high data rate and efficient communication link. We also described the effects of bending and proximity to the human body on the antenna performance. Overall, the results suggested that graphene-based soft antennas are a viable solution for a fully integrated textile-based communication interface that can replace the current rigid, restrictive and toxic approaches, leading to a future where eco-friendliness and sustainability is the only way forward!

ACCEPTED VERSION, 4TH OF JUNE 2020, Submitted to Applied Materials Today