In-situ 3D Electrochemical Deposition of Conductive Poly(dopamine) Composites in Living Tissues for Biocompatible Man-Machine Interfaces
Abstract
This report summarizes results obtained over the final year (2020-2021) of this collaborative MSIT-AFOSR research project. Our long term goal has been to create reliable, stable, bioelectronic interfaces between implantable engineered components and living tissue (Martin 2015). These interfaces are critical for a number of current and emerging devices that provide for restoration of function for disabled individuals, and improved human-machine interactions. The focus of our efforts are hybrid conjugated polymer materials that take advantage of design features required for optimizing their performance. Considerable recent work from our own laboratories and elsewhere has shown that alkoxyfunctionalize polythiophenes such as poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) are particularly attractive for biomedical devices because of their low impedance, chemical stability, and ability to have their surface chemistry precisely tailored (Donahue et al. 2020). They have mechanical properties that are intermediate of those of the hard, inorganic engineered devices (typically crystalline metals and semiconductors) and soft, wet, living tissue. Electrochemical deposition is a convenient means for depositing these materials from a precursor solution of monomer and dopant . Typically functional films with low frequency (<1 kHz) impedances 100x to 1000x lower than the bare metal electrode can be achieved with PEDOT films of order 500 nm or so in nominal thickness (Cui et al. 2001; Cui and Martin 2003).This research project investigated the use of natural products (polymers based on dopamine, a neurotransmitter) and the design and synthesis of new materials that combine together thiophene chemistry and dopamine / phenolamine functionality. Polydopamine (PDA) is an analog to natural melanin, a biopolymer found in skin and hair as well as in certain ionically active organs including the ear and brain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 05, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1153804
Entities
People
- David C. Martin
Organizations
- University of Delaware