Poly(lactic acid- co -oxacyclohexadecenlactone) (PLH): A Bio-Based Substrate for Flexible Printed Electronic Devices

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The increasing demand for sustainable materials in flexible printed electronics has driven interest in biobased substrates as alternatives to petroleum-derived polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This study evaluates a poly(lactic acid- co -oxacyclohexadecenlactone) (PLH) polymer as a biobased substrate for flexible electronics. Mechanically, PLH exhibited a lower Young’s modulus (26 ± 3 MPa) than PET (110 ± 10 MPa), indicating greater flexibility, and demonstrates excellent elastic recovery, with no permanent deformation observed after a 0.5 mm extension (2 cm × 0.8 cm samples). Dielectric strength tests confirmed both substrates withstand voltages exceeding 5 kV, with no variation after curing at 60 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the PLH reveals a temperature at 5% mass loss (T 5 %) of approximately 273 °C, indicating the onset of thermal degradation. The corresponding DTG curve shows a main degradation peak at around 295 °C, associated with the primary decomposition process, confirming sufficient thermal stability for printing processes using organic and aqueous inks. Contact angle measurements indicate moderate wettability (PLH: 80° ± 4; PET: 75° ± 5), while confocal microscopy reveals a slightly rougher topside for PLH compared to the smoother PET surface. Nevertheless, PLH supports reliable screen printing of conductive tracks (0.6 cm × 100 μm) with adhesion meeting ASTM D3359 standards. The functional performance of PLH, combined with its biobased origin and validated environmental assessment, highlights its potential as a substrate for flexible electronics with moderate thermal requirements. Future work should address bending durability and surface homogeneity to further enhance PLH applicability.