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Electro-assisted printing of soft hydrogels via controlled electrochemical reactions

Author

Listed:
  • Aruã Clayton Da Silva

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Junzhi Wang

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Ivan Rusev Minev

    (University of Sheffield
    Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden)

Abstract

Hydrogels underpin many applications in tissue engineering, cell encapsulation, drug delivery and bioelectronics. Methods improving control over gelation mechanisms and patterning are still needed. Here we explore a less-known gelation approach relying on sequential electrochemical–chemical–chemical (ECC) reactions. An ionic species and/or molecule in solution is oxidised over a conductive surface at a specific electric potential. The oxidation generates an intermediate species that reacts with a macromolecule, forming a hydrogel at the electrode–electrolyte interface. We introduce potentiostatic control over this process, allowing the selection of gelation reactions and control of hydrogel growth rate. In chitosan and alginate systems, we demonstrate precipitation, covalent and ionic gelation mechanisms. The method can be applied in the polymerisation of hybrid systems consisting of more than one polymer. We demonstrate concomitant deposition of the conductive polymer Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and alginate. Deposition of the hydrogels occurs in small droplets held between a conductive plate (working electrode, WE), a printing nozzle (counter electrode, CE) and a pseudoreference electrode (reference electrode, RE). We install this setup on a commercial 3D printer to demonstrate patterning of adherent hydrogels on gold and flexible ITO foils. Electro-assisted printing may contribute to the integration of well-defined hydrogels on hybrid electronic-hydrogel devices for bioelectronics applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Aruã Clayton Da Silva & Junzhi Wang & Ivan Rusev Minev, 2022. "Electro-assisted printing of soft hydrogels via controlled electrochemical reactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29037-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29037-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeong-Yun Sun & Xuanhe Zhao & Widusha R. K. Illeperuma & Ovijit Chaudhuri & Kyu Hwan Oh & David J. Mooney & Joost J. Vlassak & Zhigang Suo, 2012. "Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels," Nature, Nature, vol. 489(7414), pages 133-136, September.
    2. Hyunwoo Yuk & Shaoting Lin & Chu Ma & Mahdi Takaffoli & Nicolas X. Fang & Xuanhe Zhao, 2017. "Hydraulic hydrogel actuators and robots optically and sonically camouflaged in water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, April.
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