PEDOT:PSS-Coated Polybenzimidazole Electroconductive Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Bioelectricity drives several processes in the human body. The development of new materials that can deliver electrical stimuli is gaining increasing attention in the field of tissue engineering. In this work, novel, highly electrically conductive nanofibers made of poly [2,2′-m-(phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (PBI) have been manufactured by electrospinning and then coated with cross-linked poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly (styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) by spin coating or dip coating. These scaffolds have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity was measured by the four-probe method at values of 28.3 S·m−1 for spin coated fibers and 147 S·m−1 for dip coated samples, which correspond, respectively, to an increase of about 105 and 106 times in relation to the electrical conductivity of PBI fibers. Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) cultured on the produced scaffolds for one week showed high viability, typical morphology and proliferative capacity, as demonstrated by calcein fluorescence staining, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)/Phalloidin staining and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. Therefore, all fiber samples demonstrated biocompatibility. Overall, our findings highlight the great potential of PEDOT:PSS-coated PBI electrospun scaffolds for a wide variety of biomedical applications, including their use as reliable in vitro models to study pathologies and the development of strategies for the regeneration of electroactive tissues or in the design of new electrodes for in vivo electrical stimulation protocols.

Enhanced electrical conductivity and stretchability of ionic-liquid PEDOT:PSS air-cathodes for aluminium-air batteries with long lifetime and high specific energy

“…2 (c). The PEDOT:PSS FTIR spectrum shows C = C, C–C, C–O–C, S–O, S-phenyl and C–S stretching bands at wavenumbers between 800 cm −1 and 1600 cm −1 33 and C-H stretching bands around 2950 cm −1 34 . These bands are also found in the IL-doped PEDOT:PSS, in addition to supplementary bands of larger intensity between 1500 cm −1 and 1600 cm −1 .…”

Electrically Conductive Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering

“…Accordingly, Yang and colleagues fabricated a PPy/alginate biocompatible and conductive hydrogel that significantly improved human MSC proliferation and neural differentiation [ 122 ]. However, due to its higher electrochemical stability and ease of processing, PEDOT:PSS has been widely explored in tissue engineering strategies both as coating material and mixed with other biomaterials [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ]. Our group has recently showed that PEDOT:PSS coated polybenzimidazole nanofibers were able to promote the adhesion and proliferation of MSCs [ 124 ].…”

“…However, due to its higher electrochemical stability and ease of processing, PEDOT:PSS has been widely explored in tissue engineering strategies both as coating material and mixed with other biomaterials [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ]. Our group has recently showed that PEDOT:PSS coated polybenzimidazole nanofibers were able to promote the adhesion and proliferation of MSCs [ 124 ]. Moreover, crystallized PEDOT:PSS has been utilized to produce a 3D printable conductive hydrogel for neural tissue engineering.…”

Wound Healing with Electrical Stimulation Technologies: A Review

“…The 0.1-0.2% PEDOT:PSS is the optimal concentration, whereas 0.3% is cytotoxic to the corneal epithelial cells [119]. Meanwhile, the excellent conductivity of PEDOT was seen in a study of electroconductive hydrogel with iota-carrageenan (CRG), PVA, and PEDOT:PSS with a conductivity of 0.01 S cm −1 in both dry gel and distilled water conditions [132]. These findings were supported by another study of poly [2,20-m-(phenylene)-5,50-bibenzimidazole] (PBI) nanofibres coated with PEDOT:PSS via spin and dip-coating methods with a recorded electrical conductivity of 28.3 S m −1 and 147 S m −1 , respectively in addition to bio-compatibility to hBM-MSC [133].…”