Electroactive interpenetrated biohydrogels as hybrid materials based on conducting polymers

Abstract

Different levels of interpenetration of poly(hydroxymethyl‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PHMeDOT) inside a poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γPGA) biohydrogel matrix, previously loaded with microparticles of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), have been obtained. The degree of interpenetration has shown influence on the morphological and electrochemical properties of the resulting biohydrogel ([PEDOT/γPGA]PHMeDOT) with a maximum after 1 h of PHMeDOT polymerization time. The high biocompatibility of all biohydrogel components, together with the combination of mechanical properties of γPGA hydrogels with the electrochemical properties of interconnected microparticles of PEDOT, makes it a promising material for next generation of biosensors.

Poly(aspartic acid) Biohydrogel as the Base of a New Hybrid Conducting Material

“…A new CHP (i.e., [PASP/PEDOT]PHMeDOT) was created by generating new conduction paths among the dispersed PEDOT MPs within the PASP/PEDOT hydrogel matrix. This was achieved by interpenetrating PHMeDOT doped with ClO 4 − that interconnect the MPs, which acted as polymerization nuclei during the electrogeneration of the CP [ 20 , 22 ]. The formation of such conduction paths was investigated by considering different polymerization times (θ) for PHMeDOT (i.e., θ = 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 4 h, and 10 h).…”

“…In order to prepare the PASP hydrogels, the synthesized PSI was cross-linked using 1,4-diaminobutane (in DMSO medium), as shown in Scheme 1 . DAB acted as a cross-linker and was chosen among others because no sulfur atoms were present in the molecule, such as cystamine (used in previous works [ 22 ]) to facilitate its characterization, thus being discerned from the PEDOT MPs. The solution of the cross-linker (8.8 wt.% DAB in DMSO) was added to the solution of PSI (9.70 wt.% in DMSO).…”

“…Nevertheless, the combination of the two previous techniques has also begun to be explored as a new approach due to the greater ease of the intrinsic polymer for interpenetrating the hydrogel matrix. This is due to the fact that the conductive nanoparticles distributed within the material act as bridges, reinforcing the formation of an internal conductive network [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

A bright future of hydrogels in flexible batteries and Supercapacitors storage systems: A review

“…19,20,49 The use of these materials has just emerged as a new prospect for energy conversion, [50][51][52] and storage systems. [53][54][55][56][57] Indeed, the mechanical properties of the flexible systems improve by the activation and passivation mechanisms through the building blocks, and their biocompatibility behaviors develop by functionalization of their constituents with biocompatible materials during the synthesis procedure. 51 Regardless of such a potential characteristic of hydrogels made of biological/green-based polymers, the designation "bio" or "green" gives a unique identity to these soft materials made of biocompatible components.…”

“…Supramolecular hydrogels (also called biopolymer hydrogels) are biocompatible, degradable, and environmentally friendly materials 19,20,49 . The use of these materials has just emerged as a new prospect for energy conversion, 50‐52 and storage systems 53‐57 . Indeed, the mechanical properties of the flexible systems improve by the activation and passivation mechanisms through the building blocks, and their biocompatibility behaviors develop by functionalization of their constituents with biocompatible materials during the synthesis procedure 51 .…”