Roadmap of flexible electrodes for next-generation wearable electronics

Abstract

With the rapid growth of smart innovations, flexible electronics recognized for their lightweight, tremendous flexibility, and extraordinary scalability are growing more integrated into our daily life. Flexible electronics, known for their lightweight, high flexibility, and seamless integration with biological and nonbiological systems, are driving advances in wearable and implantable devices. Central to this progress are flexible electrodes, which enable energy storage, sensing, and health monitoring. This review highlights the evolution of flexible electrode materials over the past decade, focusing on carbon-based systems, transition metal compounds, MXenes, conductive polymers, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Advances in flexible electrolytes, including aqueous, nonaqueous, ionic, and redox gel systems, are also discussed. Key applications span health monitoring, robotics, and plant wearables. We critically analyze material advantages, fabrication challenges, and integration hurdles while outlining future prospects for scalable, biocompatible, and multifunctional electrode systems.