Leaf Electronics: Nature-Based Substrates and Electrodes for Organic Electronic Applications

Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/reportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The need to reduce the environmental impact of inorganic electronic systems is pressing. Although the field of organic electronics provides a potential solution to this issue, research and optimization is still majorly carried out on glass or plastic substrates. Additionally, the fabrication of organic devices requiring transparent electrodes is fraught with complex techniques and expensive materials which limit widespread implementation and sustainability goals. Here, we show that the quasi-fractal lignocellulose structures extracted from natural leaves can be successfully modified to be used as biodegradable substrates as well as electrodes for optoelectronic applications. Chemically coating the microstructures of these leaf skeletons with metals results in quasi-transparent, flexible electrodes having sheet resistances below 1 Ω/□ and a concomitant current carrying capacity as high as 6 A over a 2.5 × 2.5cm2 leaf electrode, all while maintaining broadband optical transmittance values of around 80%.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFLEPS 2023 - IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems, Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (electronic)9781665457330
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesFLEPS 2023 - IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems, Proceedings

Conference

Title5th IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems, FLEPS 2023
Duration9 - 12 July 2023
CityBoston
CountryUnited States of America

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-3295-6675/work/159171572
ORCID /0000-0002-9773-6676/work/159171808

Keywords

Keywords

  • biodegradable, electronics, flexible, leaf, organic, printable, substrate