Flexible and Green Electronics Manufactured by Origami Folding of Nanosilicate-Reinforced Cellulose Paper

Abstract

Today's consumer electronics are made from nonrenewable and toxic components. They are also rigid, bulky, and manufactured in an energy-inefficient manner via CO 2 -generating routes. Though petroleum-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate can address the rigidity issue, they have a large carbon footprint and generate harmful waste. Scalable routes for manufacturing electronics that are both flexible and ecofriendly (Fleco) could address the challenges in the field. Ideally, such substrates must incorporate into electronics without compromising device performance. In this work, we demonstrate that a new type of wood-based [nanocellulose (NC)] material made via nanosilicate (NS) reinforcement can yield flexible electronics that can bend and roll without loss of electrical function. Specifically, the NSs interact electrostatically with NC to reinforce thermal and mechanical properties. For instance, films containing 34 wt % of NS displayed an increased young's modulus (1.5 times), thermal stability (290 → 310 °C), and a low coefficient of thermal expansion (40 ppm/K). These films can also easily be separated and renewed into new devices through simple and low-energy processes. Moreover, we used very cheap and environmentally friendly NC from American Value Added Pulping (AVAP) technology, American Process, and therefore, the manufacturing cost of our NS-reinforced NC paper is much cheaper ($0.016 per dm −2 ) than that of conventional NC-based substrates. Looking forward, the methodology highlighted herein is highly attractive as it can unlock the secrets of Fleco electronics and transform otherwise bulky, rigid, and "difficult-to-process" rigid circuits into more aesthetic and flexible ones while simultaneously bringing relief to an already-overburdened ecosystem.

Handwritten and Sustainable Electronic Logic Circuits with Fully Printed Paper Transistors

“…In addition to implementing printing/ handwriting technologies for the manufacturing of low-cost and flexible cellulose-based circuits, there is a growing need to integrate resourceconscious strategies when these electronic devices reach their end-of-life. Given the well-known potential of paper/cellulose in achieving a circular economy, [21,37,61,62,77] we used a simple and environment-friendly process to properly separate the CICH sticker from the paper circuits, and then moved to a water-based recycling strategy, reusing all the recovered materials to prepare new devices (Figure S5 and Video S1, Supporting Information). The printed EGTs exhibit n-type behavior and operate in the enhancement mode (normally-off), which is confirmed by positive V on (≈0.8 V), leading to more stable operation.…”

“Green” Flexible Electronics: Biodegradable and Mechanically Strong Soy Protein-Based Nanocomposite Films for Human Motion Monitoring

“…Compared to 10 various types of synthetic composite polymers in previous studies, this particular SPI–HBT0.5–GL0.5 film exhibited comparable (even higher) conductivity, which reached 0.912 S/m under a low conductive filler loading (0.5 wt %) and high moisture content (48.2%) (Figure b and Table S5). ,− The conductivity of the poly ( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) polymer (sample 5 in Figure b and Table S6) was as high as 0.96 S/m at a 10% loading of supramolecular polymer-functionalized graphene (SPFG); however, the conductivity decreased to 5.62 × 10 –5 S/m when the loading was 1% (sample 4 in Figure b and Table S6), which was far inferior to the SPI–HBT0.5–GL0.5 film. The conductivity of the SPI–HBT0.5–GL0.5 film was also much higher than that of several biobased conductive composites (such as silk, electrical protein NWs, cellulose, starch, bio-oil, and so on.)…”

Plant‐Based Structures as an Opportunity to Engineer Optical Functions in Next‐Generation Light Management

“…[ 4–6 ] An assessment of the life cycle impact of lignocellulosics considers aspects such as sowing, growing, harvesting, extraction of isolated components, processing, transport, use, and end of life. [ 7 ] Furthermore, there is a pressing societal need to close the loops of material streams to achieve a circular economy.…”

“…[4][5][6] An assessment of the life cycle impact of lignocellulosics considers aspects such as sowing, growing, harvesting, extraction of isolated components, processing, transport, use, and end of life. [7] Furthermore, there is a pressing societal need to close the loops of material streams to achieve a circular economy. This review addresses the reconstruction of structural plant components (cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses) into materials displaying advanced optical properties.…”