Abstract
To tackle the alarming generation of electronic waste, sustainable strategies must not be presented blindly without quantitatively assessing their environmental impacts. Here, a nature-based flexible substrate called Triacetyl Cellulose (TAC) is analyzed as an eco-friendly alternative to the widely-used polyimide, not only by demonstrating functional thin-film sensors but also through substrate recovery and reusability, and evaluation of associated environmental benefits through a life cycle assessment (LCA). Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) and thermistors are realized on the TAC substrate using Cu, Mo, and AZO contacts, and InGaZnO. The temperature response of Cu- and Mo-based RTDs show negligible hysteresis over multiple thermal cycles, while the AZO-based RTD and the thermistors show consistent resistance drift. The sensors' mechanical performance is evaluated by bending measurements involving radii down to (Formula presented.). We further show TAC recovery by Mo RTD dissolution in deionized water and TAC reusability by another sensor fabrication. Finally, LCA is employed to reliably compare the potential environmental implications of utilizing TAC in comparison with polyimide. Key results show that sensor fabrication on TAC demonstrates lower relative impacts than polyimide in all impact categories, including resource use and climate change, making it a more sustainable substrate choice for the fabrication of thin-film temperature sensors.