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Fast Coating of Polydopamine Enables Scratch/Moisture Resistant Flexible Electronics
Jie Qi1,2, Chen Hang2, Yuan Gao1
1National Center for NanoScience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 11 Zhongguancun Beiyitiao, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 17, 2023
Summary
We developed a scalable method to create polydopamine-coated liquid metal nanoparticles (PD@LMNPs) for advanced flexible electronics. These inks offer exceptional stability, biocompatibility, and conductivity for diverse applications, including in vivo monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Flexible electronics require liquid metal-based materials with high biocompatibility and durability.
- Existing methods for modifying liquid metal nanoparticles (LMNPs) are often complex and difficult to scale.
- Polydopamine (PD)-coated LMNPs have not been previously utilized in flexible devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a straightforward, scalable method for synthesizing polydopamine-coated liquid metal nanoparticles (PD@LMNPs).
- To evaluate the performance of PD@LM ink in high-resolution printing and its stability in flexible electronic applications.
- To assess the biocompatibility and potential for in vivo use of the developed PD@LM electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PD@LMNPs via a controllable, fast, and scalable thermal processing method.
- High-resolution printing of PD@LM ink on various substrates.
- Testing of printed circuits for stability against water and scratching, including prolonged cardiomyocyte beating.
- Characterization of ink conductivity and stretchability.
- Culturing cardiomyocytes on PD@LM electrodes for electrical signal recording.
- Fabrication of an in vivo electrode for electrocardiogram signal detection.
Main Results:
- Achieved controllable, fast, and scalable synthesis of PD@LMNPs.
- PD@LM ink demonstrated high-resolution printing capabilities and strong adhesion to diverse substrates.
- Printed circuits exhibited remarkable stability against repeated stretching in water and scratching, enduring ~3 million cardiomyocyte beats over 1 month.
- The conductive ink showed high biocompatibility, conductivity (4000 S/cm), and stretchability (up to 800% elongation).
- Successful recording of cardiomyocyte membrane potential changes and in vivo electrocardiogram signals.
Conclusions:
- The thermal processing method provides a scalable route to PD@LMNPs for advanced flexible electronics.
- PD@LM ink offers a robust, biocompatible, and high-performance solution for printed flexible circuits.
- The developed material shows significant promise for both in vitro biological applications and in vivo monitoring devices.
