Electrochemical Deposition and Evaluation of Conductive Polymer Coating on Biodegradable Magnesium Implants for Neural Applications

Abstract

In an attempt to develop conductive, biodegradable, mechanically strong, and biocompatible nerve conduits, pure magnesium (Mg) was used as the biodegradable substrate material to provide strength while the conductive polymer, poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was used as a conductive coating material to control Mg degradation and improve cytocompatibility of Mg substrates. This study explored a series of electrochemical deposition conditions to produce a uniform, consistent PEDOT coating on Mg substrates. The microstructure and morphology of the coating and Mg were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental composition of the surface was quantified using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Adhesion strength of the coating was measured using the tape test following the ASTM-D 3359 standard. The SEM results showed uniform and consistent PEDOT coating, and EDS analysis confirmed the elemental composition of PEDOT. The adhesion strength of PEDOT coating was within the classifications of 3B to 4B.