Lignin-Regulated Amphiphilic Janus Membrane for Eco-Friendly Electronic Skin

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Wearable electronics require effective moisture management for comfort and functionality.
• Developing sustainable, eco-friendly materials for electronic skin is crucial for healthcare applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer an eco-friendly electronic skin with enhanced moisture management and sensing capabilities.
• To utilize lignin, a sustainable natural material, for advanced wearable electronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a lignin-regulated amphiphilic Janus membrane (LAJM) via electrospinning.
• Modification of lignin fractions with sulfonation and fluorination to create hydrophobic-hydrophilic gradients.
• Integration of the LAJM into a pressure sensor for performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• The LAJM demonstrated unidirectional water transport, maintaining a dry microenvironment.
• The pressure sensor exhibited high sensitivity (23.97 kPa⁻¹), a wide operational range (0-200 kPa), and ultrafast response times (22 ms response/31 ms recovery).
• LAJM showed biocompatibility, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, suitable for intelligent wound care.

Conclusions:

• The developed lignin-based electronic skin offers a scalable platform for breathable epidermal electronics.
• This technology has significant implications for AI-driven healthcare diagnostics and adaptive human-machine interfaces.
• The study highlights lignin valorization for next-generation wearable devices.