Engineering Zein-based bioplastics for green electronics: A short review on sustainable pathways

The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally benign electronic materials has led to growing interest in biopolymer-based composites. Among them, Zein — a maize-derived prolamine protein — offers significant potential due to its biodegradability, film-forming ability, and compatibility with various functional additives. This review explores recent advances in the development of conductive Zein-based composites for next-generation electronic applications. It emphasizes their roles as biodegradable substrates, insulating layers, and active components in flexible and transient electronics. The incorporation of conductive fillers such as carbon nanotubes, graphene derivatives, and metal nanoparticles has enabled Zein to transition from a passive insulator to an active electronic material. Despite these promising developments, key challenges remain, including limited electrical conductivity, poor moisture stability, and the scalability of processing methods. Furthermore, integration with existing electronic systems requires careful evaluation of thermal, dielectric, and mechanical compatibility. In order to address these issues, this review outlines suggested methodologies for future research, including the formulation of eco-friendly Zein composites, thin-film fabrication, electrospinning strategies, biodegradability assessments, and prototype development for transient electronics.