Inherently conducting polymers (ICPs)
are a specific category of
synthetic polymers with distinctive electro-optic properties, which
involve conjugated chains with alternating single and double bonds.
Polyaniline (PANI), as one of the most well-known ICPs, has outstanding
potential applications in biomedicine because of its high electrical
conductivity and biocompatibility caused by its hydrophilic nature,
low-toxicity, good environmental stability, and nanostructured morphology.
Some of the limitations in the use of PANI, such as its low processability
and degradability, can be overcome by the preparation of its blends
and nanocomposites with various (bio)polymers and nanomaterials, respectively.
This review describes the state-of-the-art of biological activities
and applications of conductive PANI-based nanocomposites in the biomedical
fields, such as antimicrobial therapy, drug delivery, biosensors,
nerve regeneration, and tissue engineering. The latest progresses
in the biomedical applications of PANI-based nanocomposites are reviewed
to provide a background for future research.