Fully Printed Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells Utilizing Biocompatible Materials

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 28; no. 24
• Main Authors: Zimmermann, Johannes, Porcarelli, Luca, Rödlmeier, Tobias, Sanchez‐Sanchez, Ana, Mecerreyes, David, Hernandez‐Sosa, Gerardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 13-06-2018
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; biocompatible materials; Biodegradability; biodegradable electronics; Biomedical materials; Biomimetics; Blade coating; Electrochemical cells; Electrolytic cells; Electronics; Inkjet printing; light‐emitting electrochemical cells; Materials science; printed electronics; Substrates
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201705795

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(ε‐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 ≈2 cd A−1 with luminance over ≈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.
Light‐emitting electrochemical cells comprising a biodegradable nonhalogenated solid polymer electrolyte are deposited on a cellulose‐based substrate. The maximum luminance of reference devices reaches ≈104 cd m−2 with maximum current efficiencies of 2 cd A−1. The printed devices, fabricated by a combination of industrially relevant techniques on cellulose diacetate, demonstrate the potential cost‐efficient processability of biomaterials in optoelectronic applications.