Next-generation electronics (e.g. substrate and conductor) need to be high performance, multi-functional and environmentally friendly. Here we report the creation of a fully wood-based flexible electronics circuit meeting these requirements, where the substrate, a strong, flexible and transparent wood film, is printed with a lignin-derived carbon nanofiber conductive ink. The wood film fabrication involves extensive removal of lignin and hemicellulose to tailor the nanostructure of the material followed by collapsing of the cell walls. This process preserves the original alignment of the cellulose nanofibers and promotes their binding. The film is flexible, yet strong in fiber direction with a Young’s modulus and a tensile strength of 49.9 GPa and 469.9 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, a sustainable and bio-based conductive ink is formulated with lignin-derived carbon nanofibers. The bio-based ink is printed on transparent wood film, and the strain sensor application of the printed circuit is demonstrated. Combining the transparent wood film with the conductive ink produces environmental-friendly and sustainable wood-based electronics for potential applications such as flexible circuits and sensors. Moreover, we envision the potential for a scalable and continuous fabrication process as well as end-of-life recyclability.

A centimeter-thick transparent wood structure was realized through interface manipulation.