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Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics

  • Kayla Guyer , Michael Machold , Xiaoyan Tang , Nathan J. Bechle ORCID logo , Junyong Y. Zhu , Biljana M. Bujanovic , Nayomi Z. Plaza ORCID logo , Peter Kitin ORCID logo , Kevin T. Turner ORCID logo and John M. Considine ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: March 24, 2025
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Abstract

There is an increasing need for inexpensive biodegradable sensors that can be easily employed in networks such as the Internet of Things. Paper materials are renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable, and thus could be used as substrates for electronic sensors. This work examined two commodity cellulose materials, an envelope paper and a linerboard, as potential substrates. A multistage coating process was developed to create a smooth surface for screen-printing of sensors using inexpensive microfibrillated cellulose. Employing this process, approximately 10 g m−2 of microfibrillated cellulose was deposited, enhancing the mechanical performance of the coated materials compared with their uncoated counterparts. Sensors printed on the microfibrillated cellulose-coated substrates had reasonable electronic performance compared with those printed on a polymer substrate. Results indicate that further reducing surface roughness would be helpful for sensor performance.


Corresponding author: John M. Considine, Forest Products Laboratory, USDA, Forest Service, Madison, WI, USA, E-mail:

Funding source: Private-Public Partnership for Nanotechnology in the Forestry Sector

Award Identifier / Grant number: 23-JV-11111122-020

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: This work was partially supported by financial assistance from the USDA Forest Service through the Private–Public Partnership for Nanotechnology in the Forestry Sector (P3Nano) under grant 23-JV-11111122-020.

  7. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Received: 2024-11-26
Accepted: 2025-03-09
Published Online: 2025-03-24
Published in Print: 2025-06-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
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  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
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