Algae-Derived Nacre-like Dielectric Bionanocomposite with High Loading Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Green Electronics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Electronic waste poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
• Algae-derived biopolymers offer a renewable resource for eco-friendly material development.
• Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) exhibit promising properties for advanced material applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional bionanocomposite using alginate and BNNS for green electronic applications.
• To achieve synergistic material properties through rational design and fabrication techniques.
• To demonstrate the potential of the developed material in supercapacitors and flexible interconnects.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a bionanocomposite by hydrogel casting of high-loading BNNS within an alginate matrix.
• Layer-by-layer assembly, cross-link engineering, and hot pressing to enhance material properties.
• Characterization of mechanical, thermal, flame retardant, and dielectric properties.

Main Results:

• The alginate-BNNS bionanocomposite exhibits excellent mechanical robustness (tensile strength ~135 MPa, Young's modulus ~18 GPa), flexibility, and thermal conductivity (~4.5 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹).
• Exceptional dielectric properties (dielectric constant ~7, dielectric strength ~400 V/μm, energy density ~4.33 J/cm³) were achieved, outperforming synthetic polymers.
• Demonstrated potential in a supercapacitor with ~7 F/cm³ volumetric capacitance and maintained conductivity in flexible silver interconnects.

Conclusions:

• The developed alginate-BNNS bionanocomposite is a promising multifunctional dielectric material for sustainable electronics.
• The synergistic combination of alginate and BNNS leads to superior material performance.
• This eco-friendly material offers a viable solution for reducing electronic waste and advancing green circular economy principles.