Electrically
conductive composite nanofibers were fabricated using
poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate)
(PEDOT–PSS) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) via the electrospinning
technique. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was used to assist the electrospinning
process, and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether was used to induce
chemical cross-linking, enabling stability of the formed fibrous mats
in water. The experimental parameters regarding the electrospinning
polymer dispersion and electrospinning process were carefully studied
to achieve a reproducible method to obtain bead-free nanofibrous mats
with high stability after water contact, with an electrical conductivity
of 13 ± 5 S m–1, thus making them suitable
for bioelectrochemical applications. The morphology of the electrospun
nanofibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and
the C/S ratio was determined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis.
Cyclic voltammetric studies showed that the PEDOT–PSS/CNF/PEO
composite fibers exhibited high electroactivity and high stability
in water for at least two months. By infrared spectroscopy, the slightly
modified fiber morphology after water contact was demonstrated to
be due to dissolution of some part of the PEO in the fiber structure.
The biocompatibility of the PEDOT–PSS/CNF/PEO composite fibers
when used as an electroconductive substrate to immobilize microalgae
and cyanobacteria in a photosynthetic bioelectrochemical cell was
also demonstrated.
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