Conducting polymers are simultaneous sensing actuators

Bio-mimetic sensing characteristics of differently synthesized polyanilines towards the surrounding electrical and chemical energetic conditions

“…The electro-chemo mechanical property of conducting polymers proves particularly valuable in the advancement of artificial muscles. Anodic and cathodic currents can induce oxidation and reduction processes in these polymers, resulting in a reversible change in volume due to the incorporation of anions and electrolytes into the material, thereby maintaining charge and osmotic pressure balance, respectively [28,29]. This process mirrors the mechanism in natural muscles, where variations in concentration, temperature, and obstacle-induced force lead to changes in Ca 2+ ion concentration and potential evolution within muscle cells, ultimately translating into pulses that inform the brain of these variations [30].…”

Conducting polymers as bio-mimetic multistep macromolecular sensors of working conditions: polyindole/polyvinyl alcohol hybrid film senses electrical and chemical working ambient

“…Another major class of applications of CPs is based on their composition-dependent properties. These reaction-driven properties have been exploited to find their application in sensors, 15–17 super capacitors, 18–21 batteries, 22,23 electrochromic devices, 4,24 artificial muscles, 25–27 corrosion protection, 28 and so on. The composition-dependent properties of CPs pertaining to their electrochemical characteristics can be tuned to design sensing motors capable of sensing their own working conditions without additional connectivity just as biological muscles do.…”

“…Some of the drawbacks associated with CPs for fabricating flexible devices have been overcome by making composite/blend/hybrid systems with other polymers, 49 hydrogels, 50 carbon nanotubes, 51,52 and so on. The hydrogels are one of the most suitable candidates for fabricating flexible electrochemical sensors 53,54 and artificial implantable devices due to their stimuli responsive behavior, 15 and a better mechanical and biocompatible nature. 55 Here we have selected a biocompatible PVA hydrogel film as a template for the polymerisation of indole to fabricate a mechanically stable flexible electroactive sensing material 56,57 which can mimic the neuronal terminals of a muscle sensor 58,59 through its unique electrochemical reaction.…”

Flexible hybrid film of polypyrrole incorporated chitosan as a biomimetic multistep electrochemical sensor of working temperature: a potentiodynamic study

“…Among the various conductive polymers, polypyrrole (PPy) has attracted tremendous attention in various fields of electrical and electronic research owing to its high conductivity, light weight, facile synthesis, low operational voltage and bio-compatibility. 21–30 The extensive application of conducting polymers is limited because of their fragile structure, brittleness, poor processability and poor mechanical strength, which can be compensated for through the fabrication of hybrid structures with hydrogels. 31,32 Chitosan (CS) is a naturally abundant hydrogel with a flexible backbone, and has received considerable attention as a prominent material for constructing different kinds of intelligent materials due to its structural and functional characteristics (for example a wide range of stimuli-responsive behavior, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, mechanical stability and high-quality adhesion).…”