Bio-semiconductors are expected to be similar to organic semiconductors; however, they have not been utilized in application yet.
This study shows the origin of electron appearance, N- and S-type negative resistances, rectification, and switching effects of semiconductors with energy storage capacities of up to 418.5 mJ/m^2 using granulated amorphous kenaf cellulose particles (AKCPs). The radical electrons in AKCP at 295 K appear in cellulose via the glycosidic bond C1–O1·–C4. Hall effect measurements indicate an n–type semiconductor with a carrier concentration of 9.89 × 10^15/cm^3, which corresponds to a mobility of 10.66 cm^2/Vs and an electric resistivity of 9.80 × 10^2 Ωcm at 298 K.
The conduction mechanism in the kenaf tissue was modelled from AC impedance curves. The light and flexible cellulose-semiconductors may open up new avenues in soft electronics such as switching effect devices and bio-sensors, primarily because they are composed of renewable natural compounds.
For further details of the study, read the full article in Natural Scientific Reports Volume 14.