As a new class of materials, implantable flexible electrical conductors have recently been developed and applied in bioelectronics. An ideal electrical conductor requires high electrical conductivity, tissue-like mechanical properties, reliable adhesion, and the ability to maintain its shape in humid physiological environments. Despite significant progress, electrical conductors that meet all these requirements are still insufficient. This article describes a facile method for fabricating novel conductive hydrogels through simultaneous exfoliation of graphite and polymerization of zwitterionic monomers initiated by microwave irradiation. In addition, it has excellent adhesive properties, conductivity, non-swelling properties and high compliance in water.
Figure 1. (a), (b) and (c) Preparation of poly(SBVI)-graphene hydrogel by microwave irradiating with an aqueous solution containing sulfobetaine vinylimidazole (SBVI) monomer and initiator (Schematic diagram of SG hydrogel V-50) and graphite. (d) Internal structure of SG hydrogel with cation-interactions. (e) Photograph of SG hydrogel (i) inverted in a vial and (ii) injected from a syringe.
Figure 2. Physical analysis of SG hydrogels.
Figure 3. Electrochemical properties of SG hydrogels.
Figure 4. Adhesion properties of SG hydrogel in air and water.
Figure 5. Non-swelling property, reusability and conformability of SG2 hydrogel.
A related paper titled Electroconductive, Adhesive, Non-swelling, and Viscoelastic Hydrogels for Bioelectronics was published on "Advanced Materials". The corresponding author is Professor Youn Soo Kim of Pohang University of Science and Technology .
Reference:
doi.org/10.1002/adma.202203431
