Properties of electrically responsive hydrogels as a potential dynamic tool for biomedical applications

Abstract

Hydrogels with electric responsive properties are gaining research focus due to increasing demand for miniaturized devices that can be precisely controlled using an external stimulus. Such systems are well suited due to their ability to expand and contract when in contact with different types of fluid. This study reports on the synthesis of a "smart" electroresponsive network, using a neutral, "non-smart," biocompatible hydrogel forming building block, Pluronic F127 (PF127), as a starting molecule. The PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer was modified with telechelic methacrylic end functionalities to form a triblock linear prepolymer with crosslinkable end groups (crosslinker). This bifunctional prepolymer, PF127 bismethacrylate (PF127BMA), was copolymerized covalently with anionic methacrylic acid sodium salt groups into a nonsoluble 3D hydrogel network in the presence of redox initiators. The polyelectrolyte domains in the pluronic hydrogel afforded controllable swelling capabilities with volumetric expansion exceeding 8500% in deionized water or 1400% in Krebs solution. The hydrogels were further assessed for their mechanical and electroactive response as a function of increasing acid salt content.

3‐D Interdigitated electrodes for uniform stimulation of electro‐responsive hydrogels for biomedical applications

“…The hydrogels were synthesized using the recipe described previously . The ERH consisted of a bismethacrylate‐ co ‐methacrylic acid sodium salt hydrogel network.…”

“…Pluronic (PF127), an ABA block co‐polymer, was chosen as the base polymer, because of its known biocompatibility. Using the process previously described, a PF127‐BMA (PF127‐bismethacrylate) powder was created. This allowed the hydroxyl groups to be converted to vinyl end groups.…”

“…The ERH used in this article consisted of a Pluronic‐bismethacrylate (F127‐BMA) based hydrogel that was crosslinked with a methacrylic acid sodium salt monomer (MAA) in order to make it electrically responsive . This modified hydrogel has previously been shown to be electrically responsive using plate electrodes .…”

Recent advances in clay mineral-containing nanocomposite hydrogels

“…Some physical hydrogels can undergo a sol-gel phase transition (SGPT) 7 as a response to external stimuli. 8,9 In contrast, the chemically cross-linked hydrogels are permanent networks formed through covalent bonds, enabling volume phase transitions (VPT) 10 when exposed to external physical or chemical stimuli, including temperature, 11,12 light, electric field, 13 ionic strength, 14 pH, 15 enzyme, 16 and biomolecules. As a result of these characteristics, hydrogels can be used as superabsorbents, 17,18 packaging materials, 19 soft lenses, 20 microfluidic devices, 21 catalyst supports, 22,23 biomedical materials, 24,25 and bioactuators 26 ( Fig.…”

Smart hydrogels for 3D bioprinting

“…The main advantage of electric field responsive hydrogels over other pH responsive gels is the control of swelling properties by modulating the electric field. Electric field responsive hydrogels can undergo swelling, shrinking, or bending depending on the stimuli factors [83][84][85][86][87][88] . For example, acid sodium salt-modified pluronic hydrogel experience bends in salt solution without contacting with anode or cathode when electric field applied [84] .…”