PEDOT:PSS Microparticles for Extrudable and Bioencapsulating Conducting Granular Hydrogel Bioelectronics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Conducting hydrogels are crucial for bioelectronic interfaces but often have fixed shapes, limiting applications.
• Granular hydrogels offer adaptability (conformal, injectable) in non-conducting biomaterials, a property yet to be explored in conducting systems.
• Developing adaptable conducting hydrogels is key to advancing bioelectronic interfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a novel conducting granular hydrogel using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).
• To investigate the material's properties, including conductivity, mechanical characteristics, and cytocompatibility.
• To demonstrate the utility of this conducting granular hydrogel in bioelectronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of spherical PEDOT:PSS hydrogel microparticles.
• Characterization of the granular hydrogel's microporosity, shear-thinning, and self-healing properties.
• Assessment of conductivity, 3D printability, and cytocompatibility (>98% cell viability).

Main Results:

• Successfully created a conducting granular hydrogel with PEDOT:PSS microparticles exhibiting microporosity and dynamic mechanical properties.
• The material demonstrated shear-thinning, self-healing, and structural integrity post-3D printing.
• Achieved high conductivity (137 S m⁻¹) and excellent cytocompatibility, proving its potential for bioelectronic applications.

Conclusions:

• The developed PEDOT:PSS conducting granular hydrogel offers a versatile platform for advanced bioelectronic interfaces.
• Potential future applications include 3D printed bioencapsulating electrodes, tissue engineering scaffolds, and injectable therapies.
• This material advances the design of adaptable and functional biomaterials for biomedical applications.