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Conductive Hydrogels for Bioelectronics

Meenakshi Singh, Manjeet Harijan, Ritu Singh, and Akriti Srivastava

Department of Chemistry, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

CONTENTS

18.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................291

18.2 Conducting Polymers .....................................................................................................292

18.2.1 Conducting Polymer–Based Hydrogels ........................................................293

18.2.2 Conductive Hydrogels......................................................................................294

18.2.3 Hydrogels Based on Zwitterionic Polymers.................................................295

18.2.4 Ion Conductive Hydrogels ..............................................................................295

18.2.5 Conductive Filler–Based Hydrogels...............................................................296

18.3 Applications of Hydrogels in Bioelectronics..............................................................300

18.3.1 Coating of Hydrogel on the Neural Electrode.............................................300

18.3.2 Artificial Skin .....................................................................................................300

18.3.3 Flexible and Implantable Bioelectronics........................................................302

18.3.4 Electronic Tongue..............................................................................................304

18.4 Conclusions and Perspectives.......................................................................................304

References ....................................................................................................................................304

18.1 Introduction

Bioelectronics is a fast-growing interdisciplinary research field that acts as a bridge be­

tween biological systems and electronic devices to get more deep knowledge about

biological processes. Bioelectronics came into existence when Galvani in the 1780s

showed that connecting electrodes with frog legs can produce contraction of muscles [1].

This early experiment attracted huge attention among the scientific community conse­

quently several bioelectronics materials have been developed to monitor and control

biological processes such as glucose sensors for diabetic patients, cardiac pacemakers,

brain implants to manage/treat epilepsy, chronic pain, arrhythmia, Parkinson’s disease,

etc. These bioelectronics devices have tremendous potential for revolutionary diagnostic

and therapeutic capabilities. Bioelectronics is a burgeonic field encompassing various

disciplines, viz. chemistry, physics, material science, biology, data sciences, etc. serving

the healthcare industry and society in general. Looking at the scenario today, especially at

the brink of a pandemic, billions of people are suffering across the globe, it is a challenge

to scientists from across the disciplines to come up united with cost-effective bio­

compatible devices. Biomedical devices are being explored at a fast pace in the last

decades and respectable progress has been made. This progress can be visualized by the

DOI: 10.1201/9781003263265-18

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