Biopolymer-Enabled Soft Electronics

This thesis demonstrates how sustainable biopolymers can be engineered into functional materials for soft electronics by controlling their molecular interactions and network structures. Through a combination of coordination and enzymatic crosslinking, natural polymers are transformed into stable, conductive, and responsive gels suitable for sensing, energy storage, and neuromorphic applications. The research progresses from hybrid organohydrogels to gel polymer electrolytes and protein-based sensors, revealing how molecular design dictates mechanical, ionic, and interfacial behavior. The final integration of biopolymer electrolytes with semiconductors yields light-responsive devices that emulate synaptic functions. Together, these studies establish a framework for creating soft, sustainable materials that merge the adaptability of biology with the performance of modern electronics.