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Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is attracting increasing attention as an effective technique for the processing of biomaterials, specifically bioactive coatings and biomedical nanostructures. The well-known advantages of EPD for the production of a wide range of microstructures and nanostructures as well as unique and complex material combinations are being exploited, starting from well-dispersed suspensions of biomaterials in particulate form (microsized and nanoscale particles, nanotubes, nanoplatelets). EPD of biological entities such as enzymes, bacteria and cells is also being investigated. The review presents a comprehensive summary and discussion of relevant recent work on EPD describing the specific application of the technique in the processing of several biomaterials, focusing on (i) conventional bioactive (inorganic) coatings, e.g. hydroxyapatite or bioactive glass coatings on orthopaedic implants, and (ii) biomedical nanostructures, including biopolymer-ceramic nanocomposites, carbon nanotube coatings, tissue engineering scaffolds, deposition of proteins and other biological entities for sensors and advanced functional coatings. It is the intention to inform the reader on how EPD has become an important tool in advanced biomaterials processing, as a convenient alternative to conventional methods, and to present the potential of the technique to manipulate and control the deposition of a range of nanomaterials of interest in the biomedical and biotechnology fields.

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Chemically cross-linked cellulose nanocrystal aerogels represent a versatile and universal substrate on which to prepare lightweight hybrid materials. In situ incorporation of polypyrrole nanofibers, polypyrrole-coated carbon nanotubes, and manganese dioxide nanoparticles in the aerogels gives flexible 3D supercapacitor devices with excellent capacitance retention, low internal resistance, and fast charge-discharge rates.

A bio-inspired chemical approach has been developed for the surface modification, dispersion and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of metal oxide particles. The study of the chemical mechanism of mussel adhesion to different surfaces has driven the development of advanced dispersing agents with strong adsorption to oxide nanoparticles. The investigation of dopamine, caffeic acid, tiron and other molecules from the catechol family, and various molecules from salicylic acid, gallic acid, and chromotropic acid families revealed their strong adsorption to metal oxide surfaces. The analysis of dispersion and deposition yield data for various materials provided an insight into the influence of molecular structures of the organic dispersants on adsorption mechanisms and EPD efficiency. The adsorbed dispersants imparted new and unique properties to the nanoparticles. Further advancements in the EPD technology were achieved by the use of cationic and anionic dyes such as pyrocatechol violet, celestine blue, alizarin red from the catechol family and alizarin yellow, aurintricarboxylic acid and calconcarboxylic acid from salicylate family and their derivatives. It was discovered that polyaromatic dyes can be used as efficient co-dispersants for oxide materials, carbon nanotubes and graphene for the fabrication of composite films by EPD. Another important breakthrough was the development of film forming dispersants for EPD nanotechnology. New strategies have emerged for the synthesis of nonagglomerated nanoparticles of controlled size, organic fibers and coated particles. The use of new dispersants with strong interfacial adsorption and multifunctional properties has driven the development of advanced composites, containing metal oxide nanoparticles, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, polyelectrolytes and other materials. Colloidal and interface chemistry of new dispersing agents is emerging as a new area of technological and scientific interest.