Development Trends of Paper and Fabric Based Printed Electronics Technology

Paper and fabric substrates are important foundational materials for the fabrication of flexible and printed electronic devices. This paper combines the research work undertaken for the project and, based on a review of the literature, comprehensively summarizes the roles, classifications, and processing techniques of paper-based and fabric materials in flexible and printed electronics. It compares the preparation techniques of such devices and introduces the achievements of chemical sintering and in-situ polymerization on paper-based electronics. Literature retrieval and analysis indicate that the development of paper-based/fabric electronic devices is essentially synchronized both domestically and internationally. It is believed that paper-based/fabric-based flexible electronic devices, including but not limited to circuits, electrodes, RFID tags, sensors, energy storage, and conversion devices, have their respective applications: paper-based devices are suitable for disposable, low-cost applications, while fabric-based devices are more suitable for wearable electronic products. Overall, in line with global carbon emissions control efforts, conductive and semiconductor materials suitable for fabric/paper-based flexible electronic products, including nano metals, conductive polymers, carbon materials, MXene, and other materials, will be prioritized for development. The related fabric/paper-based coating and printing industries will also rise in tandem with this trend.