Electroactive interpenetrated biohydrogels as hybrid materials based on conducting polymers

Abstract

Different levels of interpenetration of poly(hydroxymethyl-3,-4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PHMeDOT) inside a poly-¿-glutamic acid (¿PGA)biohydrogel matrix, previously loaded with microparticles of poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT), have been obtained. The degree of interpenetrationhas shown influence on the morphological and electrochemical properties ofthe resulting biohydrogel ([PEDOT/¿PGA]PHMeDOT) with a maximum after1 h of PHMeDOT polymerization time. The high biocompatibility of all bio-hydrogel components, together with the combination of mechanical propertiesof ¿PGA hydrogels with the electrochemical properties of interconnectedmicroparticles of PEDOT, makes it a promising material for next generation of biosensors