Fig. 1: SBS/LM/Ag-SBS (SLMAS) yarns.

a Schematic illustration of the fabrication of SLMAS yarns. The process involves four steps: construction of channels by electrospun microfibers (SBS-PU yarns), growth of Ag adhesive layer on the surface of the microchannels (Ag-SBS yarns), adsorption of LM (LMAS yarns) and hydrophobic SBS microfibers encapsulation (SLMAS yarns). b–e SEM images of the yarns corresponding to the four steps described above (the upper right corner scale bar: 10 μm). f XRD characterization of SLMAS yarns (red line) and Ag-SBS yarns (blue line). LM alloyed with Ag deposited on SBS microfibers, forming intermetallic compounds. g SEM images of SBS-PU yarns treated by different concentrations of silver precursor solutions (0 wt%, 10 wt%) and the corresponding CA between yarns and LM. h Schematic diagram of the mechanism of LM penetration into the fiber channel and maintaining adhesion. i–l Optical images of SLMAS yarns in their initial state, winding, knotting, and stretching (about 550% strain).