Electronically Conductive Hydrogels by in Situ Polymerization of a Water-Soluble EDOT-Derived Monomer
Date
2022-05-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Advanced Engineering Materials
Abstract
Electronically conductive hydrogels have gained popularity in bioelectronic interfaces because their mechanical properties are similar to biological tissues, potentially preventing scaring in implanted electronics. Hydrogels have low elastic moduli, due to their high water content, which facilitates their integration with biological tissues. To achieve electronically conductive hydrogels, however, requires the integration of conducting polymers or nanoparticles. These “hard” components increase the elastic modulus of the hydrogel, removing their desirable compatibility with biological tissues, or lead to the heterogeneous distribution of the conductive material in the hydrogel scaffold. A general strategy to transform hydrogels into electronically conductive hydrogels without affecting the mechanical properties of the parent hydrogel is still lacking. Herein, a two-step method is reported for imparting conductivity to a range of different hydrogels by in-situ polymerization of a water-soluble and neutral conducting polymer precursor: 3,4–ethylenedioxythiophene diethylene glycol (EDOT-DEG). The resulting conductive hydrogels are homogenous, have conductivities around 0.3 S m−1, low impedance, and maintain an elastic modulus of 5–15 kPa, which is similar to the preformed hydrogel. The simple preparation and desirable properties of the conductive hydrogels are likely to lead to new materials and applications in tissue engineering, neural interfaces, biosensors, and electrostimulation.
Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Nguyen, D.M., Wu, Y., Nolin, A., Lo, C., Guo, T., Dhong, C., Martin, D.C. and Kayser, L.V. (2022), Electronically Conductive Hydrogels by in Situ Polymerization of a Water-Soluble EDOT-Derived Monomer. Adv. Eng. Mater. 2200280. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202200280, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202200280. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited. This article will be embargoed until 05/13/2023.
Keywords
conductive hydrogel, conducting polymers, bioelectronics
Citation
Nguyen, D.M., Wu, Y., Nolin, A., Lo, C., Guo, T., Dhong, C., Martin, D.C. and Kayser, L.V. (2022), Electronically Conductive Hydrogels by in Situ Polymerization of a Water-Soluble EDOT-Derived Monomer. Adv. Eng. Mater. 2200280. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202200280