Toward Sustainable Electronics: Exploiting the Potential of a Biodegradable Cellulose Blend for Photolithographic Processes and Eco‐Friendly Devices

• DOI: 10.1002/admt.202301282
• Publication Date: 2023-12-06T18:55:21Z
• Authors: Elena Palmieri; Luca Maiolo; Ivano Lucarini; Adriano Diaz Fatt...; Emanuela Tamburri; Silvia Orlanducci; Raffaella Calarco; Francesco Maita
• Keywords: biocompatible substrates; biodegradable substrates; biodegradable electronics; sustainable electronics; biodegradable cellulose; photolithographic processes; cellulose derivatives; photolithography; flexible electronics; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

Flexible electronics has emerged as a promising field for the development of electronic devices with applications in wearables, biomedical sensors, and edible electronics. Biomaterials play a crucial role in fabricating flexible substrates, and the utilization of polymer blends offers exciting possibilities for tuning mechanical and chemical properties. This paper highlights the potential of a novel polymer blend based on ethyl cellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) in the fabrication of substrates for flexible electronics. By blending the two cellulose ethers, it is possible to tune the mechanical and chemical properties of the final substrate, tailored to meet specific requirements. To exploit such innovative green substrates for photolithographic processes, their stability, and processability is extensively investigated. The feasibility of photolithographic processes on such biodegradable and edible substrates is demonstrated by fabricating both resistive and capacitive sensors through standard photolithographic processes, presenting a breakthrough in terms of applicability. The utilization of such biomaterials holds tremendous potential for driving technological advancements in various fields. These materials pave the way for innovative devices catering to diverse applications, from agriculture to food and biomedicine. Importantly, they also promote a sustainable approach for their fabrication, laying the foundation for an environment‐aware future of technological progress.