High Performance Cellulose-Based Substrates for Flexible Printed Electronics

Nanocellulose films with their renewable and biodegradable nature can be an excellent alternative to plastic substrates in printed electronics applications. However, these films are inherently brittle and possess low tear resistance. They are also sensitive to moisture and lack stretchability which is an important criterion for wearable skin-mounted electronic applications.

In this work, we improved various performance aspects of nanocellulose films through combining novel approaches based on structure function optimization. Cellulose fibers with varying lengths and cellulose derivatives with varying viscosity and molecular weights were explored as additives to nanocellulose, and their impact on film flexibility, tear resistance, and stretchability were studied. Furthermore, antimicrobial performance was introduced into the films through use of a wood-based additive, tannin.