Fully Printed Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Utilizing Biocompatible Materials

The use of biomaterials and bioinspired concepts in electronics will enable the fabrication of transient and disposable technologies within areas ranging from smart packaging and advertisement to healthcare applications. In this work, the use of a nonhalogenated biodegradable solid polymer electrolyte based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone-co-trimethylene carbonate) and tetrabutylammonium bis-oxalato borate in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) is presented. It is shown that the spin-cast devices exhibit current efficiencies of approximate to 2 cd A(-1) with luminance over approximate to 12 000 cd m(-2), an order of magnitude higher than previous bio-based LECs. By a combination of industrially relevant techniques (i.e., inkjet printing and blade coating), the fabrication of LEC devices on a cellulose-based flexible biodegradable substrate showing lifetimes compatible with transient applications is demonstrated. The presented results have direct implications toward the industrial manufacturing of biomaterial-based light-emitting devices with potential use in future biodegradable/biocompatible electronics.