Engineering Antifouling Conducting Polymers for Modern Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Conducting polymers are considered to be favorable electrode materials for implanted biosensors and bioelectronics, because their mechanical properties are similar to those of biological tissues such as nerve and brain tissues. However, one of the primary challenges for implanted devices is to prevent the unwanted protein adhesion or cell binding within biological fluids. The nonspecific adsorption generally causes the malfunction of implanted devices, which is problematic for long-term applications. When responding to the requirements of solving the problems caused by nonspecific adsorption, an increasing number of studies on antifouling conducting polymers has been recently published. In this review, synthetic strategies for preparing antifouling conducting polymers, including direct synthesis of functional monomers and post-functionalization, are introduced. The applications of antifouling conducting polymers in modern biomedical applications are particularly highlighted. This paper presents focuses on the features of antifouling conducting polymers and the challenges of modern biomedical applications.

Anti-Biofouling Polymers with Special Surface Wettability for Biomedical Applications

“…This damage destroys the surface characteristics leading to a loss of anti-biofouling activity. The development of robust and long-lasting anti-biofouling polymers remains a major challenge ( Wu et al, 2019 ). Investigation of self-repairing materials, inspired by the repair mechanisms seen in natural organisms ( Cai et al, 2014 ) would be advantageous to maintain and restore the properties of surfaces.…”

“…Moreover, biofoulants mentioned in this review are focused on the usual bacteria, cells, and proteins. Although there are some reviews about antifouling polymers ( Lejars et al, 2012 ; Wu et al, 2019 ; Maan et al, 2020 ), our review is focusing on anti-biofouling polymers with special surface wettability, and it will provide a new perspective to promote the development of anti-biofouling polymers. Meanwhile, the anti-biofouling strategies reviewed in this manuscript will offer help for future researchers to choose suitable polymers for specific anti-biofouling applications.…”

PHAIR: a biosensor for pH measurement in air–liquid interface cell culture

“…Nonetheless, PHAIR in the current format has been designed to operate for a short time in cell culture media. It requires a coating that has antifouling or lowfouling properties to extend its operational lifetime 71,72 . Any surface modification would impact the behavior of the sensor and should be extensively investigated in the future work.…”

Conjugated polymer nanostructures displaying highly photoactivated antimicrobial and antibiofilm functionalities

“…10 Furthermore, conductive polymers have been used to prepare bioelectronic devices taking advantage of their excellent mechanical properties compared to inorganic materials. 11 However, an important problem of polymers in biological media is their easy fouling due to the nonspecific adsorption of proteins and other organic substances. Two main strategies had been followed to produce antifouling conducting polymers, namely the introduction of antifouling moieties with the monomers or the postfunctionalization by grafting hydrophilic units onto the polymeric surface.…”