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Electrically active hydrogels based on PEDOT:PSS for neural cultures
Liwen Wang1, Yannick Hajee2, Jean-Philippe Frimat3
1Department of Microelectronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, Delft University of Technology Delft the Netherlands a.savva@tudelft.nl.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. C
|November 19, 2025
Summary
New electrically active hydrogels blend alginate, laminin, and conductive PEDOT:PSS particles for neural interfacing. These stable, transparent hydrogels support neural cell growth and offer promising bioelectronic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroscience
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Electrically active hydrogels are crucial for biohybrid interfaces with biological tissues.
- Developing materials that combine electrical activity with biocompatibility for neural applications is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer electrically active hydrogels for in vitro neural cell cultures.
- To create a soft, bioelectronic interface for neural engineering.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of composite hydrogels using alginate, laminin, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) particles.
- Characterization using oscillatory rheology, optical transmission measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry.
- In vitro culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons.
Main Results:
- The hydrogels demonstrated viscoelastic properties (1-10 kPa moduli) suitable for neural tissue interfacing.
- High optical transparency (>45% at 500 nm) was achieved, enhanced by reducing thickness.
- PEDOT:PSS incorporation significantly improved conductivity and charge storage capacitance.
- Stable electrochemical performance over 80 cycles and structural/functional stability in cell culture for over four weeks.
- Successful long-term (28 days) culture of human cortical neurons, demonstrating cytocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- Alginate-laminin-PEDOT:PSS hydrogels offer a stable, conductive, and biocompatible platform for neural applications.
- These hydrogels show significant potential as soft bioelectronic interfaces for neural engineering.
- The developed material supports neural cell growth and function in vitro.
