Highly aligned poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nano- and microscale fibers and tubes

Abstract

This study reports a facile method for the fabrication of aligned Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) fibers and tubes based on electrospinning and oxidative chemical polymerization. Discrete PEDOT nano- and microfibers and nano- and microtubes are difficult to fabricate quickly and reproducibly. We employed poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) polymers that were loaded with polymerizable 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer to create aligned nanofiber assemblies using a rotating glass mandrel during electrospinning. The EDOT monomer/PLGA polymer blends were then polymerized by exposure to an oxidative catalyst (FeCl3). PEDOT was polymerized by continuously dripping a FeCl3 solution onto the glass rod during electrospinning. The resulting PEDOT fibers were conductive, aligned and discrete. Fiber bundles could be easily produced in lengths of several centimeters. The PEDOT sheath/PLGA core fibers were immersed in chloroform to remove the PLGA and any residual EDOT resulting in hollow PEDOT tubes. This approach made it possible to easily generate large areas of aligned PEDOT fibers/tubes. The structure and properties of the aligned assemblies were measured using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and DC conductivity measurements. We also demonstrated that the aligned PEDOT sheath/PLGA core fiber assemblies could be used in supporting and directing the extension of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons in vitro.

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticle and poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) electrospun scaffold characterization for skeletal muscle regeneration

“…The addition of the MWCNT to the 1:2 scaffolds had no effect on fiber diameter. Feng et al electrospun several 1:10, 3:10, and 5:10 PEDOT:poly(lactide‐ co ‐glycolide) (PLGA) solutions that had average fiber diameters of 10, 3.7, and 2.9 μm, respectively, which are larger than the values we measured. Interestingly, they found that as the amount of PEDOT increased, the fiber diameter decreased; however, we did not observe this effect.…”

Spectroelectrochemical study of the electrosynthesis of Pt nanoparticles/poly(3,4-(ethylenedioxythiophene) composite

“…Table 1 shows the main peaks registered corresponding to PEDOT undoped (column a) and doped state (column b) at -0.50 V and +0.95 V, respectively [27][28][29][30][31]. Temporal evolution of Raman spectra (Fig 1b) show the characteristic peaks of undoped PEDOT than of doped PEDOT, being the two most intense ones those at 1440 and 1523 cm -1 .…”

Recent progress on nanostructured conducting polymers and composites: synthesis, application and future aspects

“…Till now, by improved or modified electrospinning technique, nanofibers with part or even good orientation could be fabricated. Martin et al [83] reported the fabrication of aligned PEDOT fibers and tubes based on electrospinning and oxidative chemical polymerization. One-dimensional NCPs fabricated by electrospinning approach exhibit unique electronic and optical properties that can be modified through doping and have wide application in rechargeable batteries, chemical and biological sensors, electromagnetic shielding and wearable electronics, which will be discussed in following sections.…”