The patterning of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hydrogels with excellent electrical property and spatial resolution is a challenge for bioelectronic applications. However, most PEDOT:PSS hydrogels are fabricated by conventional manufacturing processes such as photolithography, inkjet printing, and screen printing with complex fabrication steps or low spatial resolution. Moreover, the additives used for fabricating PEDOT:PSS hydrogels are mostly cytotoxic, thus requiring days of detoxification. Here, we developed a previously unexplored ultrafast and biocompatible digital patterning process for PEDOT:PSS hydrogel via phase separation induced by a laser. We enhanced the electrical properties and aqueous stability of PEDOT:PSS by selective laser scanning, which allowed the transformation of PEDOT:PSS into water-stable hydrogels. PEDOT:PSS hydrogels showed high electrical conductivity of 670 S/cm with 6-μm resolution in water. Furthermore, electrochemical properties were maintained even after 6 months in a physiological environment. We further demonstrated stable neural signal recording and stimulation with hydrogel electrodes fabricated by laser.
Thanks to spontaneous polarization in molecular structure, piezoelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) holds great potential for diverse applications such as organic memory and electromechanical devices. However, the transformation of PVDF into a highly polarized β‐phase has still relied on conventional processes such as repeated mechanical strain, high‐temperature heat treatment, and high‐voltage electric poling, which are time‐consuming and can potentially cause undesired damages. Here, an ultrafast and reversible digital patterning process to transform the polymorphic phase of the PVDF has been developed using the interaction of laser with molecular structure. Plasmonic gold nanoparticles realize the interaction between PVDF and laser by increasing the absorption of the laser and amplifying its characteristics. The parameters of the laser process for phase conversion are designed under the theoretical background based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and through this, the process is able to freely convert phases by simple parameter modifications. The selective laser process enables a monolithically integrated heterogeneous phase of PVDF which is not allowed in conventional single‐phase producing processes. Moreover, a practical soft robot that can control its direction has been developed by utilizing the difference in mechanical responses of each phase to the electric field in a monolithically integrated single functional layer.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.