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Pressure (P), temperature (T), and humidity (H) are physical key parameters of great relevance for various applications such as in distributed diagnostics, robotics, electronic skins, functional clothing, and many other Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) solutions. Previous studies on monitoring and recording these three parameters have focused on the integration of three individual single‐parameter sensors into an electronic circuit, also comprising dedicated sense amplifiers, signal processing, and communication interfaces. To limit complexity in, e.g., multifunctional IoT systems, and thus reducing the manufacturing costs of such sensing/communication outposts, it is desirable to achieve one single‐sensor device that simultaneously or consecutively measures P–T–H without cross‐talks in the sensing functionality. Herein, a novel organic mixed ion–electron conducting aerogel is reported, which can sense P–T–H with minimal cross‐talk between the measured parameters. The exclusive read‐out of the three individual parameters is performed electronically in one single device configuration and is enabled by the use of a novel strategy that combines electronic and ionic Seebeck effect along with mixed ion–electron conduction in an elastic aerogel. The findings promise for multipurpose IoT technology with reduced complexity and production costs, features that are highly anticipated in distributed diagnostics, monitoring, safety, and security applications. A mixed ionic–electronic cellulose aerogel is designed, which generates three different electrical signals, independently from each other: one signal sensitive to pressure (P) (but not to temperature (T) and humidity (H)), one signal sensitive to T (but not to P and H), and one signal sensitive to H (without being affected by T and P).

Among conductive polymers, poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) has been widely used as an electrode material for supercapacitors, solar cells, sensors, etc. Although PEDOT:PSS-based thin films have acceptable properties such as good capacitive and electrical behaviour and biocompatibility, there are still several challenges to be overcome in their use as an electrode material for supercapacitors. For this reason, the aim of this work is to fabricate and characterise ternary nanocomposites based on PEDOT:PSS and graphene oxide (GO), blended with green additives (glucose (G) or ascorbic acid (AA)), which have the benefits of being environmentally friendly, economical, and easy to use. The GO reduction process was first accurately investigated and demonstrated by UV-Vis and XRD measurements. Three-component inks have been developed, and their morphological, rheological, and surface tension properties were evaluated, showing their printability by means of Aerosol Jet® Printing (AJ®P), an innovative direct writing technique belonging to the Additive Manufacturing (AM) for printed electronics applications. Thin films of the ternary nanocomposites were produced by drop casting and spin coating techniques, and their capacitive behaviour and chemical structures were evaluated through Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) tests and FT-IR analyses. CV tests show an increment in the specific capacitance of AAGO-PEDOT up to 31.4 F/g and excellent overtime stability compared with pristine PEDOT:PSS, suggesting that this ink can be used to fabricate supercapacitors in printed (bio)-electronics. The inks were finally printed by AJ®P as thin films (10 layers, 8 × 8 mm) and chemically analysed by FT-IR, demonstrating that all components of the formulation were successfully aerosolised and deposited on the substrate.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)s are the conducting polymers (CP) with the biggest prospects in the field of bioelectronics due to their combination of characteristics (conductivity, stability, transparency and biocompatibility). The gold standard material is the commercially available poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). However, in order to well connect the two fields of biology and electronics, PEDOT:PSS presents some limitations associated with its low (bio)functionality. In this review, we provide an insight into the synthesis and applications of innovative poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)-type materials for bioelectronics. First, we present a detailed analysis of the different synthetic routes to (bio)functional dioxythiophene monomer/polymer derivatives. Second, we focus on the preparation of PEDOT dispersions using different biopolymers and biomolecules as dopants and stabilizers. To finish, we review the applications of innovative PEDOT-type materials such as biocompatible conducting polymer layers, conducting hydrogels, biosensors, selective detachment of cells, scaffolds for tissue engineering, electrodes for electrophysiology, implantable electrodes, stimulation of neuronal cells or pan-bio electronics.

Background: Hostile environment around the lesion site following spinal cord injury (SCI) prevents the re-establishment of neuronal tracks, thus significantly limiting the regenerative capability. Electroconductive scaffolds are emerging as a promising option for SCI repair, though currently available conductive polymers such as polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) present poor biofunctionality and biocompatibility, thus limiting their effective use in SCI tissue engineering (TE) treatment strategies. Methods: PEDOT NPs were synthesized via chemical oxidation polymerization in miniemulsion. The conductive PEDOT NPs were incorporated with gelatin and hyaluronic acid (HA) to create gel:HA:PEDOT-NPs scaffolds. Morphological analysis of both PEDOT NPs and scaffolds was conducted via SEM. Further characterisation included dielectric constant and permittivity variances mapped against morphological changes after crosslinking, Young’s modulus, FTIR, DLS, swelling studies, rheology, in-vitro, and in-vivo biocompatibility studies were also conducted. Results: Incorporation of PEDOT NPs increased the conductivity of scaffolds to 8.3 × 10–4 ± 8.1 × 10–5 S/cm. The compressive modulus of the scaffold was tailored to match the native spinal cord at 1.2 ± 0.2 MPa, along with controlled porosity. Rheological studies of the hydrogel showed excellent 3D shear-thinning printing capabilities and shape fidelity post-printing. In-vitro studies showed the scaffolds are cytocompatible and an in-vivo assessment in a rat SCI lesion model shows glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) upregulation not directly in contact with the lesion/implantation site, with diminished astrocyte reactivity. Decreased levels of macrophage and microglia reactivity at the implant site is also observed. This positively influences the re-establishment of signals and initiation of healing mechanisms. Observation of axon migration towards the scaffold can be attributed to immunomodulatory properties of HA in the scaffold caused by a controlled inflammatory response. HA limits astrocyte activation through its CD44 receptors and therefore limits scar formation. This allows for a superior axonal migration and growth towards the targeted implantation site through the provision of a stimulating microenvironment for regeneration. Conclusions: Based on these results, the incorporation of PEDOT NPs into Gel:HA biomaterial scaffolds enhances not only the conductive capabilities of the material, but also the provision of a healing environment around lesions in SCI. Hence, gel:HA:PEDOT-NPs scaffolds are a promising TE option for stimulating regeneration for SCI.

Since acetone has more medical and industrial applications, its detection plays a significant role in indirectly measuring some quantities and controlling human safety in medical and industrial areas. In this research, a surface plasmon resonance image sensor was developed based on chitosan, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and gold nanoparticles for the detection of acetone. The gold nanoparticles have been fabricated using the laser ablation technique, and chitosan-PEDOT: PSS and chitosan-PEDOT: PSS-gold-nanoparticles composite were used to detect the pure acetone vapor form using a surface plasmon resonance image sensor. The response of the sensor was compared with the sensor’s response when acetone was mixed with methanol and ethanol. Consequently, the sensor’s response to pure acetone was greater than the sensor’s response in the presence of methanol or ethanol. The sensor’s response is very insignificant when the sensing layer is contacted with pure methanol and ethanol.

Advanced conductors (such as conducting and semiconducting polymers) are vital building blocks for modern technologies and biocompatible devices as faster computing and smaller device sizes are demanded. Conjugated conducting and semiconducting polymers (including poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyaniline (PANI), polythiophene (PTh), and polypyrrole (PPy)) provide the mechanical flexibility required for the next generation of energy and electronic devices. Electrical conductivity, ionic conductivity, and optoelectronic characteristics of advanced conductors are governed by their texture and constituent nanostructures. Thus, precise textural and nanostructural engineering of advanced conjugated conducting and semiconducting polymers provide an outstanding pathway to facilitate their adoption in various technological applications, including but not limited to energy storage and harvesting devices, flexible optoelectronics, bio-functional materials, and wearable electronics. This review article focuses on the basic interconnection among the nanostructure and the characteristics of conjugated conducting and semiconducting polymers. In addition, the application of conjugated conducting and semiconducting polymers in flexible energy devices and the resulting state-of-the-art device performance will be covered.

Li‐ion battery performance relies fundamentally on modulation at the microstructure and interface levels of the composite electrodes. Correspondingly, the binder is a crucial component for mechanical integrity of the electrode, serving to interconnect the active material and conductive additive and to firmly attach this composite to the current collector. However, the commonly used poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) binder presents several limitations, including the use of toxic solvent during processing, a low electrical conductivity which for compensation requires the addition of carbon black, and weak interactions with active materials and collectors. This study investigates Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly[(4‐styrenesulfonyl) (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide] (PEDOT:PSSTFSI) as an alternative binder and conductive additive, in replacement of both PVDF and carbon black, in Li‐ion batteries with LiFe0.4Mn0.6PO4 at the positive electrode. Complex PEDOT:PSSTFSI significantly improves the electronic conductivity and lithium diffusion coefficient within the electrode, in comparison to standard PVDF binder and carbon black. This enhances significantly the electrochemical performance at high C‐rates and for high active mass loading electrodes. Furthermore, an excellent long‐range cyclability is achieved. Binders in Li‐ion battery play an important role to ensure mechanical integrity and interface modulation of electrodes. This study explores PEDOT:PSSTFSI as an alternative mixed conductive binder in positive electrodes. The use of this polymer enhances conductivity and lithium diffusion, facilitates faster charge/discharge rates at high current densities, and promotes stability over extended cycles. These results introduce a new binder to substitute both PVDF and carbon black in conventional formulations.

The electrochemical performances of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/poly-3,4-dioxyethylenethiophene (PEDOT) aerogels as supercapacitor electrode materials were evaluated. The PEDOT was synthesized by oxidative polymerization of 3,4-dioxyethylenethiophene (EDOT). It was doped by nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (NPES) in order to become a flowable material (F-PEDOT) at or near room temperature. Hydrothermal treatment of a mixture of graphene oxide (GO) and F-PEDOT led to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and dedoped PEDOT (RGO/PEDOT) aerogels which possessed a high specific surface area and a good compressive modulus. When used as a supercapacitor electrode material, it exhibited a high capacitance of 400 F·g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A·g−1, and 234 F·g−1 at a high current density of 20 A·g−1 in the three-electrode test system. It retained almost its initial capacitance over 6000 charge–discharging cycles even at a current density of 10 A·g−1. Moreover, the RGO/PEDOT//RGO asymmetric supercapacitor (ASc) exhibits a maximum energy density of 14.16 W h·kg−1 at a power density of 1.53 kW·kg−1 and displays an acceptable cycle stability with 83.4% of the initial capacitance retention after 8000 charging–discharging cycles at a high rate of 6.25 A·g−1.

A novel poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-reduced graphene oxide/copper-based metal–organic framework (PrGO/HKUST-1) has been successfully fabricated by incorporating electrochemically synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-reduced graphene oxide (PrGO) and hydrothermally synthesized copper-based metal–organic framework (HKUST-1). The field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and elemental mapping analysis revealed an even distribution of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and HKUST-1. The crystalline structure and vibration modes of PrGO/HKUST-1 were validated utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as Raman spectroscopy, respectively. A remarkable specific capacitance (360.5 F/g) was obtained for PrGO/HKUST-1 compared to HKUST-1 (103.1 F/g), PrGO (98.5 F/g) and PEDOT (50.8 F/g) using KCl/PVA as a gel electrolyte. Moreover, PrGO/HKUST-1 composite with the longest charge/discharge time displayed excellent specific energy (21.0 Wh/kg), specific power (479.7 W/kg) and an outstanding cycle life (95.5%) over 4000 cycles. Thus, the PrGO/HKUST-1 can be recognized as a promising energy storage material.

Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs), such as polyacetylene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), can have important application in flexible electronics owing to their unique merits including high conductivity, high mechanical flexibility, low cost, and good biocompatibility. The requirements for their application in flexible electronics include high conductivity and appropriate mechanical properties. The conductivity of some ICPs can be enhanced through a postpolymerization treatment, the so‐called “secondary doping.” A conducting polymer film with high conductivity can be used as flexible electrode and even as flexible transparent electrode of optoelectronic devices. The application of ICPs as stretchable electrode requires high mechanical stretchability. The mechanical stretchability of ICPs can be improved through blending with a soft polymer or plasticization. Because of their good biocompatibility, ICPs can be modified as dry electrode for biopotential monitoring and neural interface. In addition, ICPs can be used as the active material of strain sensors for healthcare monitoring, and they can be adopted to monitor food processing, such as the fermentation, steaming, storage, and refreshing of starch‐based food because of the resistance variation caused by the food volume change. All these applications of ICPs are covered in this review article. Because they combine the merits of metals and plastics, intrinsically conducting polymers can have important application in flexible electronic devices and systems, such as flexible electrode particularly the transparent electrode of optoelectronic devices, stretchable electrode, dry biopotential electrode, neural interface, and strain sensors for healthcare monitoring and food processing monitoring.