Conductive Materials with Elaborate Micro/Nanostructures for Bioelectronics

Abstract

Bioelectronics, an emerging field with the mutual penetration of biological systems and electronic sciences, allows the quantitative analysis of complicated biosignals together with the dynamic regulation of fateful biological functions. In this area, the development of conductive materials with elaborate micro/nanostructures has been of great significance to the improvement of high‐performance bioelectronic devices. Thus, here, a comprehensive and up‐to‐date summary of relevant research studies on the fabrication and properties of conductive materials with micro/nanostructures and their promising applications and future opportunities in bioelectronic applications is presented. In addition, a critical analysis of the current opportunities and challenges regarding the future developments of conductive materials with elaborate micro/nanostructures for bioelectronic applications is also presented.

Recent advances in conductive hydrogels: classifications, properties, and applications

“…[257][258][259][260][261] Strategies, like surgical suturing and physical attachment are usually taken to integrate bioelectronic devices with tissue, however, the widespread deficiencies, 262 like failure of conformal contact, leakage of body fluid, bacterial infection, and even tissue damage, seriously hinders its development. 91,[263][264][265][266] Recently, Zhao et al 267 proposed graphene hydrogel-based electro-bioadhesive interface for fast and firm adhesion to various dynamic tissues (additionally, the integration was on-demand detachable). To evaluate the in vivo stimulation functionalities of the e-bioadhesive devices, the electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve was recorded by integrating a commercial electrode with the e-bioadhesive interface (Fig.…”

Engineering Multi‐Scale Organization for Biotic and Organic Abiotic Electroactive Systems

“…Electroactive organic materials, including synthetic polymers/ biomolecule‐based materials and their related devices, have emerged as key functional components of bioelectronic technologies over the past decades. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ] The conduction mechanisms of these organic materials can involve through‐bond or through‐space ionic and electronic contributions, unlike their inorganic counterparts that often involve delocalized electron transport. [ 8 , 9 , 10 ] Efficient electronic transport is required to achieve high‐performance devices, while facilitation of ion transport within polymeric or biomolecular networks allows for easy integration with electrolytic biological environments.…”

Nanofibrous Matrix Mediated Ultrasensitive Flexible Strain Sensor for Subtle Human Motion Monitoring

“…Flexible strain sensors are generally composed of two layers: a conductive functional layer sensitive to external strain and a flexible substrate layer for supporting and integrating with the active materials. , One effective strategy to improve the performance of flexible strain sensors within subtle strain variation is to manipulate the functional layers with complex microstructures to generate significant structural and conductivity variations even with small strain changes. , So far, various microstructures have been explored, including micropyramids, porous, microcracks, and biomimetic hierarchical structures . In particular, microcrack structures originating and propagating in brittle thin films along the deformation of underlying flexible supporting layers could significantly enhance the sensitivity of sensors within the subtle strain range by releasing the accommodated stress at the stress concentrated areas. , In this view, Li et al developed a carbon black (CB)/carbon nanotube (CN)-coated paper strain sensor with surface microcracks using the mismatches between the CB/CN coating and substrate materials based on the thermal expansion coefficient and elastic modulus during drying.…”

“…16,17 One effective strategy to improve the performance of flexible strain sensors within subtle strain variation is to manipulate the functional layers with complex microstructures to generate significant structural and conductivity variations even with small strain changes. 18,19 So far, various microstructures have been explored, including micropyramids, 20 porous, 21 microcracks, 22 and biomimetic hierarchical structures. 23 In particular, microcrack structures originating and propagating in brittle thin films along the deformation of underlying flexible supporting layers could significantly enhance the sensitivity of sensors within the subtle strain range by releasing the accommodated stress at the stress concentrated areas.…”