Disposable Carbon-based Electronic and Optoelectronic Sensors

Single-use sensors must be designed to maintain stable functionality during operation, but once the usefulness has concluded the device is disposed of in a landfill or destroyed in an incinerator. This paper describes the chemical synthesis and fabrication processes used to create benign carbon based electronic films, electrodes, and sensor circuits on degradable flexible substrates. The conductive inks are nontoxic graphene and carboxymethyl cellulose (G-CMC) aqueous suspensions. Electronic and optoelectronic sensors are fabricated by depositing nanoparticles, biomolecules, and polymer gels on the printed G-CMC electrodes. Examples of nonpermanent carbon-based circuits and sensors are discussed.