Enhanced Hydrophobicity in Nanocellulose-Based Materials: Toward Green Wearable Devices

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electronics

Background:

• Nanocellulose offers a sustainable platform for flexible, biocompatible electronic devices.
• Environmental factors, particularly water adsorption, negatively impact nanocellulose-based device performance.
• Swelling of nanopaper substrates due to water uptake alters electrical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the hydrophobicity of nanocellulose substrates and ink composites.
• To improve the stability of wearable electronic devices under varying humidity levels.
• To enable the deterministic engineering of biodegradable electronic devices.

Main Methods:

• Chemical modification of plant-based nanocellulose substrates and ink composites using hexamethyldisilazane.
• Fabrication of devices on modified nanocellulose.
• Testing of electrical properties under high humidity conditions (around 95%).

Main Results:

• Hexamethyldisilazane treatment significantly enhanced the hydrophobicity of the nanocellulose system.
• Modified devices demonstrated stable electrical performance at humidity levels up to 95%.
• Suppressed water adsorption was observed on both the substrate and conducting ink.

Conclusions:

• Hexamethyldisilazane modification is an effective strategy to overcome humidity-induced instability in nanocellulose-based electronics.
• This approach is crucial for realizing robust wearable devices like electronic skins and tattoos.
• The findings support the development of biodegradable and deterministically engineered electronic systems.