Flexible Nanowire Conductive Elastomers for Applications in Fully Polymeric Bioelectronic Devices

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Metallic bioelectronics can cause chronic inflammation, reducing device longevity and performance.
• Developing soft, flexible, and biocompatible electrode materials is crucial for advanced bioelectronic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate fully polymeric conductive elastomers (CEs) for soft bioelectronics.
• To investigate the electrochemical and mechanical properties of PEDOT:PU CEs.
• To assess the in vitro cytocompatibility of the developed CEs.

Main Methods:

• Chemically synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowires were embedded in a polyurethane (PU) matrix.
• Fabrication of conductive elastomers (CEs) with varying PEDOT nanowire loadings.
• Electrochemical characterization and mechanical testing (Young's modulus, strain at failure).
• Indirect in vitro cytocompatibility assays using primary rodent cells.

Main Results:

• Increasing PEDOT nanowire loading enhanced conductivity and electrochemical properties.
• Mechanical properties, including Young's modulus, increased with higher PEDOT loadings.
• The PEDOT:PU CEs demonstrated superior electrochemical performance compared to platinum electrodes.
• Indirect cytocompatibility tests indicated no adverse effects from leachable substances.

Conclusions:

• Soft, flexible, fully polymeric conductive elastomers based on PEDOT nanowires in a PU matrix were successfully fabricated.
• These novel CEs exhibit tunable electrochemical and mechanical properties.
• The developed materials show significant promise as a biocompatible alternative to metal electrodes in soft bioelectronics.