Cellulose‐Derived Wearable Carbon Nanoflake Sensors Customized by Semiconductor Laser Photochemistry

Abstract

Abstract Multi‐functional wearable electrical materials have been regarded as one of the most pivotal cornerstones for the booming internet of things (IoTs), biomimetic robotics/science, and sensory e‐skins. Nevertheless, customizable, high‐throughput, batch‐fabricated, function‐integrated wearable electronics remain technologically challenging to traditional material engineering. Hereby, a cellulose‐converted active amorphous carbon nanomaterial is developed via a transfer‐free, precursor‐free rapid laser synthesis method incorporating deformation‐tolerant waste papers. The lattice fringe spacing of laser‐synthesized carbon nanoflake is ≈0.305 nm topologically distinct from graphene or carbon dots. The nanostructured three‐dimensional (3D) carbon network exhibits desirable mechanical flexibility, high hygroscopicity/electrical conductivity, large ion storing capacity for Zn2+ or Na+, high sensitivity to pressure, and a natural microwave absorbing ratio (> 37 dB at the terahertz range). Abundant percolation pathways inside cellulose/carbon composite networks offered fast electrolyte diffusion and carrier mobility. A series of low‐cost highly‐deformable interdigitated supercapacitors, tactile sensors, electrical circuits, and functional coatings are experimentally fabricated and identified, enabling waste paper as a function‐magnified meta platform for e‐skins, wearable energy devices, or IoTs interfaces.

Keywords

• amorphous carbon flakes
• cellulose
• laser synthesis
• tactile sensing
• wearable energy storing