Tailoring Stretchable, Biocompatible, and 3D Printable Properties of Carbon‐Based Conductive Hydrogel for Bioelectronic Interface Applications

Abstract Functional conductive hydrogels with customizable shapes and structures facilitate seamless integration between biological and electronic interfaces. However, the current capacity to adjust the properties of conductive gels is constrained, frequently requiring complex post‐processing methods to ensure gel formation and achieve a balance between mechanical and electrical properties. This significantly limits the flexibility in fabricating gel‐based sensing interfaces. In this study, a 3D‐printable, photo‐crosslinked, carbon‐based conductive nanocomposite hydrogel (FPCH) comprising poly(ether) F127 diacrylate (F127DA), Single‐Walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) is developed. By optimizing the proportion of conductive fillers, the hydrogel achieves tunable modulus (as low as 90 kPa), high stretchability (up to 520% strain), conductivity (440 S m −1 ), and 3D printability. The conductive gel can be rapidly cured on demand via UV‐induced crosslinking and demonstrates good biocompatibility. It functions not only as a “skin electronic tattoo” for multimodal applications, such as strain and humidity sensing and thermal compensation but also effectively stimulates the sciatic nerve in vivo at low voltage. Furthermore, electrodes fabricated using 3D printing technology offer conformal contact with brain tissue and enable real‐time monitoring of electrophysiological signals, providing a versatile bioelectronic sensing interface for multi‐modal applications adaptable for both the in vivo and in vitro environments.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-02-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202418554
Citations
23
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
15.50

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Tailoring Stretchable, Biocompatible, and 3D Printable Properties of Carbon‐Based Conductive Hydrogel for Bioelectronic Interface Applications

Jiankang He, Dichen Li, Chenrui Zhang, Sen Wang et al.
23 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
15.50
article

Tailoring Stretchable, Biocompatible, and 3D Printable Properties of Carbon‐Based Conductive Hydrogel for Bioelectronic Interface Applications

Jiankang He, Dichen Li, Chenrui Zhang, Sen Wang, Xiao Li, Yingjie Liu, Ling Wang, Lei Li, Siqi Yao, Luge Bai
article en
23 citations

Abstract

Abstract Functional conductive hydrogels with customizable shapes and structures facilitate seamless integration between biological and electronic interfaces. However, the current capacity to adjust the properties of conductive gels is constrained, frequently requiring complex post‐processing methods to ensure gel formation and achieve a balance between mechanical and electrical properties. This significantly limits the flexibility in fabricating gel‐based sensing interfaces. In this study, a 3D‐printable, photo‐crosslinked, carbon‐based conductive nanocomposite hydrogel (FPCH) comprising poly(ether) F127 diacrylate (F127DA), Single‐Walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) is developed. By optimizing the proportion of conductive fillers, the hydrogel achieves tunable modulus (as low as 90 kPa), high stretchability (up to 520% strain), conductivity (440 S m −1 ), and 3D printability. The conductive gel can be rapidly cured on demand via UV‐induced crosslinking and demonstrates good biocompatibility. It functions not only as a “skin electronic tattoo” for multimodal applications, such as strain and humidity sensing and thermal compensation but also effectively stimulates the sciatic nerve in vivo at low voltage. Furthermore, electrodes fabricated using 3D printing technology offer conformal contact with brain tissue and enable real‐time monitoring of electrophysiological signals, providing a versatile bioelectronic sensing interface for multi‐modal applications adaptable for both the in vivo and in vitro environments.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 35(12)
National Medical Products Administration (CN), Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
15.50
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.