Fabricating different patterns of flexible inorganic semiconductor films via colloidal ink printing on textiles

In this study, a scheme was proposed to prepare uniform semiconductor ink and flexible films on different substrates at low temperature, providing new possibilities for the application of inorganic semiconductors in flexible electronics. [Display omitted] •Several uniform inks compatible with a range of substrates were prepared.•A strategy capable of producing flexible semiconductor films through low temperature annealing was put forward.•The films could withstand 100,000 times of bending without evident degradation of electrical performance.•Analysis of the mechanism of excellent flexibility based on experiments and theory. As an important material for modern electronics, inorganic semiconductors have gradually been introduced into the field of printed electronics, which is one of the current hotspots in academia and industry. However, due to its inherent rigidity and preparation challenges of uniform homogeneous ink, inorganic semiconductor applications are severely limited. In this study, we demonstrate a scheme to fabricate flexible inorganic semiconductor films on various substrates at low temperature. And this film that can be bent 100,000 times was obtained using screen printing and low temperature annealing.