Silk and Paper: Progress and Prospects in Green Photonics and Electronics

• Published in: Advanced sustainable systems (Online) Vol. 6; no. 2
• Main Authors: Lee, Chulwon, Kim, Sejeong, Cho, Yong‐Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2022
• Subjects: green electronics; green photonics; green technologies; silk
• DOI: 10.1002/adsu.202000216
• ISSN: 2366-7486

Photonic and electronic devices currently face challenges in terms of improved efficiency of energy harvesting and light emission, renewable energy and materials, and the development of eco‐friendly materials. Owing to the emergence of world‐wide concerns about environmental degradation and the ensuing regulations, demand for environmentally friendly technology has been increasing in recent years. As the current technology of creating electronics and photonics devices based on semiconductors heavily relies on processes that produce a series of hazardous chemicals, development of renewable and eco‐friendly materials has become immensely important. Two of the most promising materials in this respect are silk and paper, and this progress report will investigate their unique properties for both photonic and electronic applications. These two natural materials have been intensively studied in the last decades and have shown promising aspects for use in future green technologies. In this progress report, various photonic and electronic devices based on silk and paper are reviewed. From optical sensing devices to biodegradable electronics, silk and paper offer not only environmentally friendly substitution of materials used in modern technologies, but also possess very interesting features that can improve the material properties and performance of conventional electronic and photonic devices.