Hu and co-workers from the USA and China have advanced us towards flexible electronics that are more recyclable, renewable and inexpensive with findings reported in their recent EES communication.
The group investigated the fundamental properties of cellulose-based biodegradable, transparent substrates. They found interesting differences in mechanical and optical properties between regenerated cellulose film substrates and cellulose-nanopaper substrates, although both were transparent and suitable for printed electronic devices. This was demonstrated using organic-light-emitting diodes on the substrates.
Flexible devices commonly use plastic substrates, which have limited recyclability and are not produced from sustainable sources. The authors hope that their investigation will allow for the replacement of plastic with more sustainable substrates.
Read more detail in the communication here:
Biodegradable transparent substrates for flexible organic-light-emitting diodes
Hongli Zhu, Zhengguo Xiao, Detao Liu, Yuanyuan Li, Nicholas J. Weadock, Zhiqiang Fang, Jinsong Huang and Liangbing Hu
DOI: 10.1039/C3EE40492G
