Review of recent research on flexible multifunctional nanopapers

Abstract

Traditional paper and papermaking have struggled with a declining market during the last few decades. However, the incorporation of nanotechnology into papermaking has brought possibilities to develop low-cost, biocompatible and flexible products with sophisticated functionalities. The functionality of nanopapers emerges from the intrinsic properties of the nanofibrous network, the additional loading of specific nanomaterials (NMs), or the additional deposition and patterning of thin films of nanomaterials on the paper surface. A successful development of functional nanopapers requires understanding how the nanopaper matrix, nanofillers, nanocoating pigments, nanoprinting inks, processing additives and manufacturing processes all interact to provide the intended functionality. This review addresses the emerging area of functional nanopapers. This review discusses flexible and multifunctional nanopapers, NMs being used in nanopaper making, manufacturing techniques, and functional applications that provide new important possibilities to utilize papermaking technology. The interface where NM research meets traditional papermaking has important implications for food packaging, energy harvesting and energy storage, flexible electronics, low-cost devices for medical diagnostics, and numerous other areas.

Technological Capabilities of Printed Electronics: Features, Elements and Potentials for Smart Interactive Packaging

“…Also, paper is cheaper and withstands thermal annealing or sintering used in R2R printing better [7]. However conventional paper products have a highly porous and rough surface, are hygroscopic, and have low resistance to high temperature and heat that complicates the fabrication of flexible devices [25] [33]. As a result, to control and improve paper's permeability, strength, smoothness and optical characteristics, it is often loaded with various additives, like binders, fillers and pigments [7].…”

Emerging Considerations for the Future Development of Electrochemical Paper‐Based Analytical Devices

“…Such papers, also called nanopapers, have unique properties such as elevated strain resistance, biodegradability, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 hydrophobicity, conductivity, magnetism, and bioactivity that incorporate the functionality of a nanoparticle into cellulose paper. [156] This area was recently reviewed by Dufresne et al, [157] who described several preparation procedures, properties and emerging electronic and electrochemical applications such as use of these materials in batteries, supercapacitors, [158] fuel cells, flexible electronics, and sensing, biomedical and healthcare applications. Another recent review, by Merkoçi et al, [159] showed the use of nanocellulose in its various forms for sensing and biosensing applications, including several uses of nanocellulose papers in POC analysis.…”

Recent Advances on Renewable and Biodegradable Cellulose Nanopaper Substrates for Transparent Light-Harvesting Devices: Interaction with Humid Environment

“…In particular, cellulose nanopaper has received a high attention during the past decade for its clean manufacture and its outstanding optical, thermal, and mechanical properties [14] and for its compatibility with printing technologies [15]. Its transparency, combined with the above mentioned features, has increased the interest towards cellulose nanopaper, attracting the attention of the scientific and industrial communities, especially as substrate for optoelectronic devices.…”