Open AccessBiodegradable Elastomers and Gels for Elastic Electronics
Author(s) -
Chen Shuo,
Wu Zekai,
Chu Chengzhen,
Ni Yufeng,
Neisiany Rasoul Esmaeely,
You Zhengwei
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202105146
Subject(s) - electronics , elastomer , nanotechnology , materials science , wearable technology , stretchable electronics , electronic waste , biodegradation , biocompatible material , mechanical engineering , computer science , wearable computer , engineering , electrical engineering , composite material , biomedical engineering , embedded system , chemistry , waste management , organic chemistry
Biodegradable electronics are considered as an important bio‐friendly solution for electronic waste (e‐waste) management, sustainable development, and emerging implantable devices. Elastic electronics with higher imitative mechanical characteristics of human tissues, have become crucial for human‐related applications. The convergence of biodegradability and elasticity has emerged a new paradigm of next‐generation electronics especially for wearable and implantable electronics. The corresponding biodegradable elastic materials are recognized as a key to drive this field toward the practical applications. The review first clarifies the relevant concepts including biodegradable and elastic electronics along with their general design principles. Subsequently, the crucial mechanisms of the degradation in polymeric materials are discussed in depth. The diverse types of biodegradable elastomers and gels for electronics are then summarized. Their molecular design, modification, processing, and device fabrication especially the structure–properties relationship as well as recent advanced are reviewed in detail. Finally, the current challenges and the future directions are proposed. The critical insights of biodegradability and elastic characteristics in the elastomers and gel allows them to be tailored and designed more effectively for electronic applications.