We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Natural polymers for emerging technological applications: cellulose, lignin, shellac and silk
Summary
This review highlights four natural polymers, cellulose, lignin, shellac, and silk, as promising materials for developing eco-friendly electronics and sensors. Researchers found that these biodegradable materials can serve as functional alternatives to synthetic plastics in electronic devices, reducing both electronic waste and microplastic pollution. The study suggests that natural polymer-based electronics could address the growing environmental concerns associated with e-waste.
Abstract In an effort to stave off the growth of electronic waste (e‐waste) that poses a critical environmental dilemma, scientists often look into nature as an unending inspirational pool of materials and chemical processes that ensure functionality, performance and safe dissolution at the end of life cycle. This short review highlights only four organic polymer materials of natural origin (i.e. cellulose, lignin, shellac and silk) from the very large pool of natural (bio)polymeric materials and looks not only into the recent developments at the industrial scale but also into the emerging niche applications of these materials, while highlighting their implementation into electronics and sensor development. This review exemplifies that natural polymeric materials have great potential for the development of eco‐friendly electronics, in other words the class of industrial products that has carefully considered the important issues of biocompatibility, biodegradability (even compostability), cost of production and energy expanded in production (i.e. the carbon footprint). © 2024 The Author(s). Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Cellulose-Based Conductive Materials for Energy and Sensing Applications
This review covers conductive materials made from cellulose, a natural plant-based polymer, for use in batteries, sensors, and wearable electronics. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because cellulose-based materials are biodegradable alternatives to plastic components in electronics, which eventually break down into microplastics. Developing sustainable materials like these could help reduce the flow of plastic waste into the environment.
Sustainable biomaterials based on cellulose, chitin and chitosan composites - A review
Researchers reviewed advances in making sustainable composite materials from cellulose, chitin, and chitosan — abundant natural polymers found in plants and shellfish — as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic plastics that contribute to microplastic pollution. The review covers how these biopolymers can be dissolved and combined into fibers, films, and gels for a wide range of environmentally friendly applications.
Degradable Green Polymers, Green Nanopolymers and Green Nanocomposites Derived from Natural Systems: Statistics and Headways
This review surveys the fundamentals, classification, and properties of degradable green polymers, nanopolymers, and nanocomposites derived from natural sources, covering applications in transient electronics, barrier films, packaging, environmental protection, and biomedicine. The authors highlight the promise of natural degradable nanomaterials for addressing ecological challenges while noting that industrial and commercial scalability remains a significant hurdle.
Shellac-paper composite as a green substrate for printed electronics
Researchers developed a shellac-paper composite substrate as a biodegradable alternative to plastic films for printed electronics, demonstrating comparable electrical performance while avoiding the microplastic pollution generated by conventional polyethylene terephthalate substrates.
Lignin beyond the status quo: recent and emerging composite applications
This review examines recent advances in using lignin, a natural plant polymer, as a component in composite materials across various industries. Researchers highlight how lignin-based composites can serve as biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics in packaging, construction, and other applications. The study suggests that scaling up lignin-based materials could help reduce dependence on petroleum-derived plastics and the resulting microplastic pollution.