Thin-film temperature sensors on natural beeswax

Abstract: Flexible electronics have gained significant attention, thanks to the implementation of innovative systems in attractive fields of application, such as wearables, implants, and smart agriculture. However, the electronic and plastic waste resulting from such devices at the end of their life cycle can be hazardous for the environment. Natural, non-toxic, and recyclable electronic materials are needed to resolve this global issue. Here, we present the use of beeswax as sustainable and green substrate for thin-film electronics. Temperature sensors are fabricated on a temporary substrate, transferred on the natural beeswax carrier and encapsulated for consistent response. The calculated sensitivity of sensor is 0.18%∘C-1 in a temperature range from 10 to 25 °C, and the encapsulated sensors have shown reliable functionality up to 18 days. These results demonstrate the successful employment of this nature-derived material as green substrate and its integration with thin-film devices, representing a leap forward in the realization of natural and sustainable electronics with low-carbon footprint.