Strain sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, and antimicrobial performance of triple hierarchic fabric coated with AgNWs and polydopamine

[Display omitted] •Strain sensors comprising polydopamine(PDA)-coated textiles with incorporated silver nanowires(AgNWs) were developed.•3.37 wt.% AgNWs and1.39 wt.% PDA gave 99 % antibacterial effect against E.coli and S. aureus, a fracture strain of 400 %.•99% SE against X-band EM waves, a strain sensitivity up to 457.1 and a strain sensing range up to 300 %.•Mathematical methods developed to analyze strain-resistivity correlation and address signal drift under cyclic strain. For wearable smart textile sensors, stability, accuracy and multi-functionality are key objectives. Achieving the optimal application requires delicately balancing the crucial physical properties of strain sensors, presenting a key technological challenge. This study addresses these challenges by presenting several properties and potential applications of a triple hierarchic polymeric knitted fabric. The fabric incorporates an internal conductive network constructed with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and polydopamine (PDA) coating on its outer surface. This innovative textile successfully strikes a balance between strain sensing and electromagnetic interference shielding while concurrently exhibiting biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties. Significantly, acknowledging the susceptibility of measurements from polymer-based strain sensor materials to time drift, we introduce both a modeling approach and a novel calibration technique. This advancement facilitates the generation of stable cyclic sensing signals, even under substantial deformations of up to 80 % at a high stretching speed. Importantly, it provides a practical solution for addressing signal drift observed in flexible sensors when utilized in environments characterized by long-term and large deformations.