A Composite Microfiber for Biodegradable Stretchable Electronics

Abstract

Biodegradable stretchable electronics have demonstrated great potential for future applications in stretchable electronics and can be resorbed, dissolved, and disintegrated in the environment. Most biodegradable electronic devices have used flexible biodegradable materials, which have limited conformality in wearable and implantable devices. Here, we report a biodegradable, biocompatible, and stretchable composite microfiber of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for transient stretchable device applications. Compositing high-strength PVA with stretchable and biodegradable PGS with poor processability, formability, and mechanical strength overcomes the limits of pure PGS. As an application, the stretchable microfiber-based strain sensor developed by the incorporation of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) into a composite microfiber showed stable current response under cyclic and dynamic stretching at 30% strain. The sensor also showed the ability to monitor the strain produced by tapping, bending, and stretching of the finger, knee, and esophagus. The biodegradable and stretchable composite materials of PGS with additive PVA have great potential for use in transient and environmentally friendly stretchable electronics with reduced environmental footprint.

The future of electronic materials is…degradable!

“…17 PVA with poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) in corporation with Au nanoparticles (NPs) were found to be degradable in PBS at 37 °C over a period of 28 days. 18 The degradation of PVAs leads to acids and aldehydes (Fig. 3d).…”

Manufactures of bio‐degradable and bio‐based polymers for bio‐materials in the pharmaceutical field

“…The sensor was also able to detect and track the strain caused by tapping and extending the finger and knee. PGS's are biodegradable and stretchable composite materials having PVA as an additive, which has a lot of potential for use in transitory and ecologically friendly stretchable electronics with a smaller environmental imprint 105,106 …”

Advances in design and manufacture of stretchable electronics

“…81) Furthermore, replacing traditional synthetic polymers with greener alternatives such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) 82) shows promise for the generation of biodegradable stretchable electronics. 83) Further development of materials such as these are expected to shift stretchable electronics devices to integration of more environmentally friendly materials and components, towards a more sustainable future.…”