Advances in Polyaniline for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

: Conducting polymers are an outstanding class of materials characterized by electroconducting properties that make them good candidates for applications in several sectors. Among them, polyaniline (PANI) is unique for its extraordinary ability to conduct electricity, biocompatibility and low toxicity. In spite of its surprising features, to date PANI have not yet found application in the practical uses, because of its low solubility and processability. In order to overcome these limitations, different approaches have been developed, such as polymer grafting processes, PANI-based composites and blends preparation. The present review describes the most recent advances on PANI applications in biomedical fields, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and antivirus activity, drug delivery, cancer therapy, etc. A look to the synthetic procedures is also reported because it is crucial for the realization of more innovative materials in the next future.

Surface Plasmon Resonance-Induced Charge Transfer in Ag/Mercaptobenzoic Acid/Polyaniline Sandwich Structures

“…In addition, the biocompatibility of PANI may allow applications such as biosensing and bioimaging. 42,43 As a SERS-active material, PANI exhibits a certain degree of selectivity for different molecules in terms of its enhancement effect. 44,45 The interactions of various molecules with the surface of PANI can result in different enhancement outcomes.…”

“…The surface of PANI has high molecular polarizability, resulting in a significant local electric field enhancement effect, which helps to amplify the vibrational scattering signal of analyte molecules. , In addition, PANI has excellent variability, such that its electronic and photonic properties can be readily modulated to allow control of the degree of polymerization through changes in chemical structure. , Therefore, as a flexible substrate material, PANI can be used in a variety of SERS-based studies. In addition, the biocompatibility of PANI may allow applications such as biosensing and bioimaging. , As a SERS-active material, PANI exhibits a certain degree of selectivity for different molecules in terms of its enhancement effect. , The interactions of various molecules with the surface of PANI can result in different enhancement outcomes. Therefore, PANI as an SERS enhancement substrate has significant advantages, such as a pronounced enhancement effect and tunability.…”

Oriented polyaniline/poly‐l‐lactic acid/gelatin nanofiber scaffolds promote outgrowth of spiral ganglion neurons

“…Conductive polymers have good biocompatibility and the ability to transmit electrical signals, and their sensitive response to electric fields is widely used in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and biosensors 16,17 . Among them, polyaniline (PANI) has excellent electrical conductivity, biocompatibility and environmental stability 18 . PANI‐based scaffolds have been found to support the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells and promote the extension of neural protrusions under external electrical stimulation, showing great potential in nerve regeneration 19 .…”

“…16,17 Among them, polyaniline (PANI) has excellent electrical conductivity, biocompatibility and environmental stability. 18 PANI-based scaffolds have been found to support the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells and promote the extension of neural protrusions under external electrical stimulation, showing great potential in nerve regeneration. 19 Wang et al 20 showed that the addition of PANI into threedimensional zein conduits has demonstrated to effectively improve the nerve functional recovery at the early stage (2 months) post implantation.…”

Solar Light Photoactive Floating Polyaniline/TiO2 Composites for Water Remediation

“…Among the different approaches proposed so far for PANI synthesis, chemical polymerization is the oldest and still the most popular way thanks to its affordability and simplicity [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”