Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Poly(4-vinylaniline)/Polyaniline Bilayer-Grafted Bacterial Cellulose for Bioelectronic Applications

Abstract

Microbial cellulose paper treated with polyaniline and carbon nanotubes (PANI/CNTs) can be attractive as potential flexible capacitors in terms of further improvements to the conductivity and thermal resistance. The interactions between PANI and CNTs exhibit new electrochemical features with increased electrical conductivity and enhanced capacity. In this study, PANI/CNTs was incorporated into a flexible poly­(4-vinylaniline)-grafted bacterial cellulose (BC/PVAN) nanocomposite substrate for further functionalization and processability. PANI/CNTs coatings with a nanorod-like structure can promote an efficient ion diffusion and charge transfer, with a significant enhancement of the electrical conductivity after CNTs reinforcement of 1 order of magnitude up to (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10–1 S·cm–1. An escalating improvement of the double charge capacity (∼54 mF) of the grafted BC nanocomposites was also detected through electrochemical analysis. The multilayered electrical coatings also reinforce the thermal resistance, preventing anticipated thermal degradation of the BC substrate. The cell viability and differentiation assays using neural stem cells (SVZ cells) testified to the cytocompatibility of the grafted BC nanocomposites, while inducing neuronal differentiation over 7 days of culture with a neurite that was 77 ± 24.7 μm long. This is promising for meeting the requirements in the construction of high-performance bioelectronic devices that can actively interface biologically, providing a friendly environment for cells while tuning the device performance.

Poly(4-vinylaniline)/Polyaniline Bilayer-Functionalized Bacterial Cellulose for Flexible Electrochemical Biosensors

“…Each type of neurotransmitter, such as dopamine, causes also different electrochemical responses that can be easily detected via CV, for instance. The chemical stability of BC/PVAN/PANI composites and thermostability for over 100 °C, as confirmed in our previous studies, , ensures product stability and functional feasibility of BC/PVAN/PANI for biosensor applications. At the same time, such a nanofibrillar and porous BC substrate can support the multiple focal adhesive contact points of cells on the nanocomposite membrane with efficient attachment, differentiation, and nutrients/oxygen circulation .…”

Progress in Cellulose/Carbon Nanotube Composite Flexible Electrodes for Supercapacitors

“…The coating method is a way to obtain cellulose/CNT composites with high electrical conductivity and good mechanical properties without changing the crystalline structure of cellulose. [67,68] Compared with the electrospinning method, the coating method has the advantages of simple operation and low economic cost. However, it still has the disadvantage, that is, the interfacecontact is not close enough and slightly lower mechanical properties of the composite material are observed.…”

A review of functionalised bacterial cellulose for targeted biomedical fields

“…Authors stated that it was promising to meet the requirements in the construction of highperformance bioelectronic devices. 181 Urethral tissue engineering. The bladder is responsible for storing urine while the ureters and urethra are responsible for the transport of urine.…”