Advancements and Applications of Conjugated Polyelectrolytes and Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes in Bioanalytical and Electrochemical Contexts

Abstract

In the past decade, conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) and conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) have emerged at the forefront of active materials in bioanalytical and electrochemical settings due to their unique electronic and ionic properties. These materials possess π-conjugated backbones with ionic functionalities at the ends of their side chains, granting them water solubility and facilitating their processability, exploration, and applications in aqueous environments. In this perspective, the basis for evaluating their figures of merit in selected bioanalytical and electrochemical contexts will be provided and contextualized. We will primarily discuss their roles in biosensing, bioimaging, bioelectrosynthesis, and electrochemical contexts, such as organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and their use as charge-storing materials. Emphasis will be placed on their role in improving efficiency and utility within these applications. We will also explore the fundamental mechanisms that govern their behavior and highlight innovative strategies and perspectives for developing the next generation of CPEs and COEs for bioanalytical and electrochemical applications and their integration into practical devices.