Fig. 4: Dynamic electromechanical stability enhancement of PUAL fiber at high temperatures.

a Schematic illustration of the thermal-stretching activation mechanism of the PUAL fiber by cyclic stretching under high temperatures. b Resistance change rates of PUA and PUAL fibers within 60% strain at 25 °C. c, d Resistance change rates of the PUAL fiber under (c) cyclic stretching within 60% strain at 25 °C, and (d) cyclic stretching within 180% strain at 80 °C, where 20 cycles were tested for each condition and the last 5–6 cycles were applied for clear plotting. e SEM image of the PUAL fiber revealing LMMSs’ rupture to bridge AgFKs conductive paths under mechanical stretching and thermal stimulation. The main AgFK and released LM from ruptured LMMSs have been labelled. f Tensile loading-unloading curves of the PUAL fiber with 100% strain for 10 cycles, at 25 °C, and after heating at 60 °C, 80 °C and 100 °C for 30 min. g Cyclic loading-unloading tensile curves of the PUAL fiber with 100% strain for 100 cycles, at 25 °C and after heating at 80 °C for 30 min. h Electrical stability of the PUAL fiber over 1000 stretching cycles under 60% strain at 80 °C.