Flexible environment-tolerant electroluminescent devices based on nanocellulose-mediated transparent electrodes

Stretchable electroluminescent (EL) devices show great potential for wearable displays. However, the integration of stretchability, flexibility, temperature-tolerance, waterproofness and biocompatibility into a single EL device remains a challenge. Herein, we report a facile full solution-process method for a novel EL device consisting of a dielectric luminescent layer sandwiched between two silver nanowires-cellulose nanocrystals with II crystalline allomorphs/polydopamine-polydimethylsiloxane (CNC II-AgNWs/PDA-PDMS) electrodes. CNC II is used as a green dispersant, film-forming agent and antioxidant to improve the optical, electrical, mechanical and antioxidant properties of the electrodes. The electrodes exhibit a smooth surface, low sheet resistance (~11 Ω sq−1), high transparency (~79.2 %), ideal stretchability (~100 % strain) and excellent inoxidizability. The assembled EL devices with outstanding tensile stability and fatigue resistance demonstrate excellent luminance, flexibility and stretchability underwater and at extreme temperatures, as well as intrinsic biocompatibility. Our multifunctional EL devices with outstanding integrated properties provide new insights for the next-generation flexible electronics.