The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

We present a closed-loop recycling strategy for soft electronics using a one-pot chemical separation process. Devices were built with biomass-derived materials—crosslinked poly(ethyl lipoate) (c-P(EtLp)) and gelatin hydrogels—along with EGaIn and MXene. At end-of-life, immersion in a biphasic solvent and mild acid enabled clean separation of each component without degradation. Key raw materials were fully recovered and reused to fabricate supercapacitors, strain sensors, and EMG electrodes that maintained original performance. The process is scalable for unsorted device batches and avoids cross-contamination. This work offers a generalizable, energy-efficient route toward sustainable soft electronics with reduced environmental impact and improved circularity.