A Hydrogel Implantable Supercapacitor with Tissue-Adhesive Using PEDOT:PSS as Active Material
Suting Zhou1, Meimei Yu1, Yumeng Wang1
1Energy Storage Institute of Lanzhou University of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China.
Biomacromolecules
|June 4, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new implantable supercapacitor using DMSO post-treatment on PEDOT:PSS within a hydrogel. This biocompatible device offers excellent electrochemical performance and tissue adhesion for medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Implantable medical devices require reliable power sources.
- Existing supercapacitors lack tissue adhesiveness and biocompatibility.
- Conductive polymers like PEDOT:PSS are promising but need optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the electrochemical performance and tissue integration of implantable supercapacitors.
- To develop a biocompatible power source for microintelligent medical devices.
- To investigate the effect of DMSO post-treatment on PEDOT:PSS structure and performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DMSO post-treatment to modify the condensed state structure of PEDOT:PSS.
- Embedded the modified PEDOT:PSS within a poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel matrix.
- Fabricated and tested the supercapacitor's electrochemical, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties.
Main Results:
- Achieved a capacity retention of 97.81% after 10,000 cycles.
- Demonstrated excellent mechanical properties with 233% tensile strain.
- Exhibited strong tissue adhesiveness (6.42 kPa viscous frictional stress) and biocompatibility in vivo.
- Significantly improved electrochemical performance.
Conclusions:
- DMSO post-treatment effectively enhances PEDOT:PSS-based supercapacitors for biomedical applications.
- The developed hydrogel-based supercapacitor is a promising biocompatible and adhesive power source.
- This technology advances energy supply solutions for implantable microintelligent medical devices.
