Advancing Bacterial Cellulose-Based Sensors: A Simplified 1D White-Box Model and Parametric Study for Single Carrier Mechanoelectric Transduction

Bacterial Cellulose (BC) functionalized with Ionic Liquids (ILs) is a promising candidate for sustainable electroactive sensors. While single-carrier transport models are well-established in piezoionic electroactive polymers, their applicability to BC-IL systems remains unverified. This study introduces a simplified 1D finite element model, significantly improving computational efficiency while preserving key physical insights. A detailed parametric analysis investigates the impact of different charge transport assumptions, revealing that single-carrier models are insufficient to fully describe the mechanoelectric transduction behavior. The results emphasize the necessity of a dual-carrier framework to accurately model BC-based transducers, offering a deeper understanding of multi-ionic interactions within the porous BC structure. By highlighting key mechanisms and limitations, this work provides a foundation for optimizing BC-IL sensors, preparing the way for more reliable and scalable bioelectronic applications.