A new generation of smart electroactive biomaterials is being sought to allow the direct delivery of electrical, electrochemical and electromechanical, that allow to improve the applications in this field. Poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), a conductive and electrochemically switchable polymer when doped with various compounds, can stimulate the tissues that requiring electrical stimulation, such as nerve cells and skeletal muscle. Nanostructuration of PEDOT in the form of aerogels can enhance biological and electrical properties to the material, providing a support, as well as adequate electrical stimulation, not only generates a more controlled location of cells, but also provides adequate microenvironment for synergistic action between biophysical and biomechanical signals, which allows its expansion and Subsequent normal regeneration. In this work, the synthesis of PEDOT aerogels using nanostructured templates is reported. PEDOT was firstly synthesized by polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene using iron (III) salts as oxidizing agent and in the presence of polysaccharide aerogel templates. Then, the removal of the polysaccharide template followed by supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> drying led to PEDOT aerogels. The conductive PEDOT aerogels preserved the highly porous characteristics of the template, due to the high interactions with the template during the reaction. In this work, carrageenan has been added to the formulation as doping agent in the conductive polymer in order to enhance the biocompatibility response since the carrageenan. The physical chemical, morphological and electrical properties of the aerogels were characterized by density measurements, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, impedance spectroscopy and mechanical and thermal properties. The inherent electrical properties of the PEDOT, along with the porous morphology obtained through by the template structuration, endowed the PEDOT aerogels with proper characteristics to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of the material for biomedical applications.<br/>

Development of nanostructured systems based on poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) aerogels of starch/κ-carrageenan for biomedical applications

255th National Meeting (2018)

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