Green Flexible Electronics: Natural Materials, Fabrication, and Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electronics Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Plastic electronics meet flexible electronics demand but cause ecological issues.
• Growing interest in natural materials for "green" and eco-friendly flexible electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in designing and fabricating green flexible electronics.
• To comprehensively introduce natural materials and fabrication techniques.
• To detail various applications of natural material-based green flexible electronics.

Main Methods:

• Review of natural materials: fibroin, silk, wood, paper, plants, and biomass.
• Presentation of physical and chemical fabrication techniques for natural material modification.
• Discussion of the merits and demerits of different fabrication methods.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of green flexible electronics applications: electrical wires/electrodes, antennas, thermal management, transistors, memristors, sensors, energy-harvesting/storage devices, displays, actuators, and electromagnetic shielding.
• Comprehensive overview of natural materials suitable for flexible electronics.
• Analysis of fabrication techniques for modifying natural materials.

Conclusions:

• Natural materials offer a viable path towards sustainable "green" flexible electronics.
• Fabrication techniques require further development to optimize performance and scalability.
• Future perspectives highlight challenges and opportunities in employing natural materials for eco-friendly electronic devices.