Bioinspired Transparent Laminated Composite Film for Flexible Green Optoelectronics

Abstract

Herein, we report a new version of a bioinspired chitin nanofiber (ChNF) transparent laminated composite film (HCLaminate) made of siloxane hybrid materials (hybrimers) reinforced with ChNFs, which mimics the nanofiber-matrix structure of hierarchical biocomposites. Our HCLaminate is produced via vacuum bag compressing and subsequent UV-curing of the matrix resin-impregnated ChNF transparent paper (ChNF paper). It is worthwhile to note that this new type of ChNF-based transparent substrate film retains the strengths of the original ChNF paper and compensates for ChNF paper's drawbacks as a flexible transparent substrate. As a result, compared with high-performance synthetic plastic films, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ether sulfone), poly(ethylene naphthalate), and polyimide, our HCLaminate is characterized to exhibit extremely smooth surface topography, outstanding optical clarity, high elastic modulus, high dimensional stability, etc. To prove our HCLaminate as a substrate film, we use it to fabricate flexible perovskite solar cells and a touch-screen panel. As far as we know, this work is the first to demonstrate flexible optoelectronics, such as flexible perovskite solar cells and a touch-screen panel, actually fabricated on a composite film made of ChNF. Given its desirable macroscopic properties, we envision our HCLaminate being utilized as a transparent substrate film for flexible green optoelectronics.

Biomimetic Chitin–Silk Hybrids: An Optically Transparent Structural Platform for Wearable Devices and Advanced Electronics

“…We demonstrate this centrifugal casting process is also fully applicable to CS solutions, and affords a uniform large‐area CS hybrid film, as shown in Figure C. In the next step, we treat the CS hybrids with methanol to induce the β‐sheets crystallization from the silk phase; we adopt the methanol treatment due to its simplicity, although other protocols (e.g., water‐annealing) are also available . Figure D shows stepwise photographs of a CS31 hybrid film under the methanol treatment, which clearly reveals the signature of β‐sheet formation as evident from the haziness of the immersed film (the one in the center) .…”

Optically Transparent Multiscale Composite Films for Flexible and Wearable Electronics

“…ChNF nanopapers have been investigated for flexible electronics other than displays and TFTs. [109] Figure 8f shows a flexible TSP using a ChNF nanopaper and AgNW-based TCE. Due to its paper-like trait, the ChNF nanopaper can be coated with a typical sol-gel siloxane resin to secure compatibility with consisting of CNF obtained using high-pressure water jet system equipped with ball-collision chamber.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [109] Copyright 2017, American Chemical Society. h) Loudspeaker fabricated with CNF film decorated with ferromagnetic ferrite nanoparticles.…”

Recent Trends on Transparent Colorless Polyimides with Balanced Thermal and Optical Properties: Design and Synthesis

“…High temperature resistant colorless polymers as a plastic substrate are drawing great attention due to their extensive application in image display devices, liquid crystal alignment layers, optical films, organic photovoltaics, flexible printing circuit boards, touch panels, and other optoelectronic devices . In addition, the display devices could be made markedly lighter, more robust, and more flexible if the current fragile inorganic glass substrates (400–700 µm thick) are replaced with plastic substrates (<50 µm thick).…”