Silk‐based conductive materials for smart biointerfaces

Abstract

Silk-based conductive materials are widely used in biointerface applications, such as artificial epidermal sensors, soft and implantable bioelectronics, and tissue/cell scaffolds. Such biointerface materials require coordinated physicochemical, biological, and mechanical properties to meet current practical needs and future sophisticated demands. However, it remains a challenge to formulate silk-based advanced materials with high electrical conductivity, good biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, and in some cases, tissue adhesion ability without compromising other physicochemical properties. In this review, we highlight recent progress in the development of functional conductive silk-based advanced materials with different morphologies. Then, we reviewed the advanced paradigms of these silk materials applied as wearable flexible sensors, implantable electronics, and tissue/cell engineering with perspectives on the application challenges. Silk-based conductive materials can serve as promising building blocks for biomedical devices in personalized healthcare and other fields of bioengineering.

Electrogelated drug-embedded silk/gelatin/rGO degradable electrode for anti-inflammatory applications in brain-implant systems

“…Currently, the integration of silk into the conductive region of neural electrodes enable cellular activity that enhance neural signal transduction, 44,45 but silk-based conductive neural interface combined with carbon-based material are usually fabricated by eletrospun 46 and chemical synthesis, 47 which may require numerous toxic chemicals solvent and reactants and even lead to the deterioration of beta-crystallization of the silk. Here, our as-developed silk/gelatin/rGO neural interface developed through the electrogelation could produce silk/rGO conductive hydrogel with enhanced crystallization that permits structural stability and electrochemical activity.…”

Functional adhesive hydrogels for biological interfaces

“…Apart from the high adhesion strengths, hydrogel adhesives need to perform some other functions to meet the demands of interface applications 28 . For instance, when using hydrogel adhesive as a wound dressing, it must have good biocompatibility (non‐allergic and non‐toxic) 29,30 . In this scenario, it also needs to have functions such as antibacterial, anti‐oxidation, thermal insulation, and comfortable softness.…”