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Hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber network for robust and electronically conductive hydrogels

Author

Listed:
  • Huimin He

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Hao Li

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Aoyang Pu

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Wenxiu Li

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Kiwon Ban

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Lizhi Xu

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre Limited)

Abstract

Electroconductive hydrogels have been applied in implantable bioelectronics, tissue engineering platforms, soft actuators, and other emerging technologies. However, achieving high conductivity and mechanical robustness remains challenging. Here we report an approach to fabricating electroconductive hydrogels based on the hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber networks. In these hydrogels, conducting polymers self-organize into highly connected three dimensional nanostructures with an ultralow threshold (~1 wt%) for electrical percolation, assisted by templating effects from aramid nanofibers, to achieve high electronic conductivity and structural robustness without sacrificing porosity or water content. We show that a hydrogel composed of polypyrrole, aramid nanofibers and polyvinyl alcohol achieves conductivity of ~80 S cm−1, mechanical strength of ~9.4 MPa and stretchability of ~36%. We show that patterned conductive nanofiber hydrogels can be used as electrodes and interconnects with favorable electrochemical impedance and charge injection capacity for electrophysiological applications. In addition, we demonstrate that cardiomyocytes cultured on soft and conductive nanofiber hydrogel substrates exhibit spontaneous and synchronous beating, suggesting opportunities for the development of advanced implantable devices and tissue engineering technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Huimin He & Hao Li & Aoyang Pu & Wenxiu Li & Kiwon Ban & Lizhi Xu, 2023. "Hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber network for robust and electronically conductive hydrogels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36438-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36438-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vivian R. Feig & Helen Tran & Minah Lee & Zhenan Bao, 2018. "Author Correction: Mechanically tunable conductive interpenetrating network hydrogels that mimic the elastic moduli of biological tissue," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-1, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Quyang Liu & Xinyu Dong & Haobo Qi & Haoqi Zhang & Tian Li & Yijing Zhao & Guanjin Li & Wei Zhai, 2024. "3D printable strong and tough composite organo-hydrogels inspired by natural hierarchical composite design principles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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