Flexible, stretchable and sustainable paper electronics enabled by ultraviolet laser-induced graphene

The proliferation of short-lifetime consumer electronics has intensified the global electronic waste challenge. Paper, as an abundant and eco-friendly material, offers an attractive platform for sustainable electronics. Here we report a simple, additive-free, and ambient-condition approach to fabricate paper electronics by directly patterning laser-induced graphene (LIG) circuitry on lignin-rich kraft paper using a 355 nm UV pulsed laser. Under optimized conditions, the porous LIG electrode exhibits a sheet resistance of 147 ± 5 Ω sq −1 , a thickness of 43 µm, and an ablation depth of 20–30 µm, while maintaining stable electrical performance after 1000 bending or stretching cycles. We demonstrate paper-based LIG devices including flexible and stretchable electronic circuits, eco-friendly photodetectors, and electrothermal transducers. The compatibility of direct laser writing with roll-to-roll manufacturing provides a pathway toward scalable and low-cost production. These results establish paper-based LIG as a sustainable platform for flexible electronics, disposable sensors, and soft robotic systems.