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UV sensors in wearables help outdoor users protect their skin by monitoring exposure. Detecting UV light is crucial for safety, given its potential hazards. Our research has developed an efficient methodology for creating UV sensors. This method is characterized by a streamlined, one-step solution-processed approach, prioritizing simplicity in fabrication, heightened responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness as key attributes. We designed a platform utilizing the synergistic effects of a hybrid network, incorporating the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) low dimensional rods (LDR) at varying concentrations of ZnO relative to PEDOT: PSS. Using a straightforward drop-cast technique, the hybrid film was applied to a p-type silicon wafer. Incorporating ZnO LDR into PEDOT: PSS causes the LDR to become integrated into the polymer matrix, ultimately resulting in a consistently distributed film. A thickness profilometer was utilized to measure the thickness of the hybrid film, which was around 1.4 μm. FE-SEM was employed to elucidate the intricate morphological features of ZnO LDR and to investigate the synergistic hybrid composition formed by the combination of PEDOT: PSS and ZnO. The micrographs provided valuable insights into the size, shape, and distribution of ZnO LDR, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of their morphological characteristics. The length of the LDR, on average, was roughly 9.5 μm, and their diameter was approximately 0.575 μm. Furthermore, the formation of the hybrid film was verified using UV-Vis spectroscopy, revealing distinct bands originating from both PSS in PEDOT: PSS and ZnO. Upon UV radiation exposure to the hybrid film, conductivity changes were measured in both UV on and off conditions. The most successful device with 10 wt% of ZnO in PEDOT: PSS exhibited a response of around 7.5%.

In this work, the effect of the simulated body fluid temperature on the electrical interface parameters of the state‐of‐the‐art PEDOT‐PSS electrode was studied. PEDOT‐PSS was synthesized by electrodeposition on graphite and gold‐coated‐graphite electrodes. All electrochemical measurements were performed in phosphate‐buffered saline aqueous solution (pH 7.4) at room temperature (25 °C) and body temperature (37 °C). The results of the work confirmed that the modification of the carbon or metallic electrode with conducting polymer PEDOT : PSS significantly reduced the interfacial impedance and improved charge storage capacity and current injection limit due to its high electroactive surface area, roughness and porosity compared to the bare substrates. The work showed that solution temperature is a critical factor that can influence the electrical interface parameters of electrodes for neural stimulation. Understanding and controlling these temperature‐dependent effects are essential for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficacy of neural stimulation applications in both research and clinical settings. The work presents whether and to what extent the change in the solution temperature affected the electrical interface parameters of PEDOT‐PSS‐based carbon or gold electrode. Wrong selection of the temperature may introduce large errors, especially when the electrode will be further transferred to the in‐vitro/in‐vivo studies.

Wearable strain sensors are gaining popularity in the field of intelligent electronic devices due to their compactness and mobility. In this study, we presented a wearable, pliable piezoresistive sensor derived from a wooden sponge integrated with the conductive polymer PEDOT. The conductive network of PEDOT: PSS underwent modulation through the incorporation of a cross-linking agent, namely, γ- glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPS), aimed at enhancing the sensor's sensitivity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that GOPS cross-linked with PEDOT: PSS. Crosslinking induced by GOPS helped PEDOT to form an ideal-network microstructure, thereby improving the sensitivity. Benefitting from this micro-network structure, the wood sponge/PEDOT:PSS/GOPS (WPG) exhibited a high sensitivity of 5.69 kPa−1 and a fast response time of 111 ms, with exceptional stability and durability (over 500 cycles), making it suitable for detecting subtle muscle changes. Crosslinking induced by GOPS induced PEDOT to form an ideal-network microstructure, thereby improving the sensitivity. The micro-network structure presented a novel approach for designing piezoresistive sensors.

Ionic electroactive polymer actuators with high performance and high durability for developing active components have attracted significant attention in micrototal analysis systems (μTAS) and microelectromechanical systems. Herein, we introduced a novel ionic actuator fabricated with a free-standing bacterial cellulose (BC) reinforced poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) polyelectrolyte membrane sandwiched between two free-standing conductive polymer membranes of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) by hot pressing. Adding BC as reinforcement in the PDADMAC resulted in the preparation of a free-standing polyelectrolyte membrane with high mechanical properties. As a result, the hot-pressed BC-reinforced PDADMAC actuator exhibited excellent actuation performances with a large peak displacement of approx. 6 mm, a large bending strain of 0.16%, high reproducibility, high stability and durability up to 8 h. Simultaneously, we further verified the biomimetic applications of the actuators in microsystems including microgripper, bionic micro-finger, and micromixer in microfluidics.

Herein, we present for the first time a novel potentiometric sensor based on the stimulus-responsive molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a selective receptor for neutral dopamine determination. This smart receptor can change its capabilities to recognize according to external environmental stimuli. Therefore, MIP-binding sites can be regenerated in the polymeric membrane by stimulating with stimulus after each measurement. Based on this effect, reversible detection of the analyte via potentiometric transduction can be achieved. MIPs based on 4-vinylphenylboronic acid as the functional monomer were prepared as the selective receptor. This monomer can successfully bind to dopamine via covalent binding and forming a five- or six-membered cyclic ester in a weakly alkaline aqueous solution. In acidic medium, the produced ester dissociates and regenerates new binding sites in the polymeric membrane. The proposed smart sensor exhibited fast response and good sensitivity towards dopamine with a limit of detection 0.15 µM over the linear range 0.2–10 µM. The selectivity pattern of the proposed ISEs was also evaluated and revealed an enhanced selectivity towards dopamine over several phenolic compounds. Constant-current chronopotentiometry is used for evaluating the short-term potential stability of the proposed ISEs. The obtained results confirm that the stimulus-responsive MIPs provide an attractive way towards reversible MIP-based electrochemical sensors designation.

Flexible sensors play an important role in collecting stimuli information and sending them to a central processing unit or cloud for analysis and decision‐making. As much information is needed to be collected, the fabrication of multiparameter flexible sensors is becoming increasingly urgent. To this end, conducting polymer‐based composites have been proven as promising materials for developing pressure‐temperature dual‐parameter sensors. However, fabrication of ideal dual‐parameter sensors with fully decoupled pressure‐temperature readings, good sensitivity, and a simple preparation process remain challenges. Here, a strategy of fabricating a pressure‐temperature dual‐parameter sensor based on conformal printing of conducting polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on the surface of microstructured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate is demonstrated. It is found that secondary doped PEDOT:PSS provides temperature‐independent conductivity. Combined with the sea‐island microstructured PDMS substrate, a screen‐printed flexible sensor demonstrates fully decoupled pressure‐temperature reading ability, competitive sensitivity, and good stability. The excellent sensing properties of the devices, with a maximum pressure sensitivity of 134.25 kPa−1 and linear response region over 300 kPa as well as highly sensitive temperature sensing for finger touch, together with their unique advantages of low‐cost and large‐area fabrication, make the printed flexible dual‐parameter sensors promising applications in electric‐skin (e‐skin), human‐machine interaction, and robotics. This study demonstrates dual‐parameter flexible sensors prepared by a conformal printing method based on conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS on the surface of a multilayered microstructured PDMS substrate. The sensors are low‐cost, large‐area, multifunctional flexible with high sensitivity for temperature/pressure dual‐parameter sensing without cross‐talk. It has the potential to be applied in fields such as intelligent robots.

In recent years, there has been a huge surge in interest in improving the efficiency of smart electronic and optoelectronic devices via the development of novel materials and printing technologies. Inkjet printing, known to deposit ‘ink on demand’, helps to reduce the consumption of materials. Printing inks on various substrates like paper, glass, and fabric is possible, generating flexible devices that include supercapacitors, sensors, and electrochromic devices. Newer inks being tested and used include formulations of carbon nanoparticles, photochromic dyes, conducting polymers, etc. Among the conducting polymers, PANI has been well researched. It can be synthesized and doped easily and allows for the easy formation of composite conductive inks. Doping and the addition of additives like metal salts, oxidants, and halide ions tune its electrical properties. PANI has a large specific capacitance and has been researched for its applications in supercapacitors. It has been used as a sensor for pH and humidity as well as a biosensor for sweat, blood, etc. The response is generated by a change in its electrical conductivity. This review paper presents an overview of the investigations on the formulation of the inks based on conductive polymers, mainly centered around PANI, and inkjet printing of its formulations for a variety of devices, including supercapacitors, sensors, electrochromic devices, and patterning on flexible substrates. It covers their performance characteristics and also presents a future perspective on inkjet printing technology for advanced electronic, optoelectronic, and other conductive-polymer-based devices. We believe this review provides a new direction for next-generation conductive-polymer-based devices for various applications.

Bone healing can be significantly expedited by applying electrical stimuli in the injured region. Therefore, a three-dimensional (3D) ceramic conductive tissue engineering scaffold for large bone defects that can locally deliver the electrical stimuli is highly desired. In the present study, 3D conductive scaffolds were prepared by employing a biocompatible conductive polymer, ie, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in the optimized nanocomposite of gelatin and bioactive glass. For in vitro analysis, adult human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded in the scaffolds. Material characterizations using hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, in vitro degradation, as well as thermal and mechanical analysis showed that incorporation of PEDOT:PSS increased the physiochemical stability of the composite, resulting in improved mechanical properties and biodegradation resistance. The outcomes indicate that PEDOT:PSS and polypeptide chains have close interaction, most likely by forming salt bridges between arginine side chains and sulfonate groups. The morphology of the scaffolds and cultured human mesenchymal stem cells were observed and analyzed via scanning electron microscope, micro-computed tomography, and confocal fluorescent microscope. Increasing the concentration of the conductive polymer in the scaffold enhanced the cell viability, indicating the improved microstructure of the scaffolds or boosted electrical signaling among cells. These results show that these conductive scaffolds are not only structurally more favorable for bone tissue engineering, but also can be a step forward in combining the tissue engineering techniques with the method of enhancing the bone healing by electrical stimuli.

Scaffolds support and promote the formation of new functional tissues through cellular interactions with living cells. Various types of scaffolds have found their way into biomedical science, particularly in tissue engineering. Scaffolds with a superior tissue regenerative capacity must be biocompatible and biodegradable, and must possess excellent functionality and bioactivity. The different polymers that are used in fabricating scaffolds can influence these parameters. Polysaccharide-based polymers, such as collagen and chitosan, exhibit exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability, while the degradability of synthetic polymers can be improved using chemical modifications. However, these modifications require multiple steps of chemical reactions to be carried out, which could potentially compromise the end product’s biosafety. At present, conducting polymers, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS), polyaniline, and polypyrrole, are often incorporated into matrix scaffolds to produce electrically conductive scaffold composites. However, this will reduce the biodegradability rate of scaffolds and, therefore, agitate their biocompatibility. This article discusses the current trends in fabricating electrically conductive scaffolds, and provides some insight regarding how their immunogenicity performance can be interlinked with their physical and biodegradability properties.

Phase changing materials (PCMs) microcapsules MPCM32D, consisting of a polymeric melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin shell surrounding a paraffin core (melting point: 30–32 °C), have been modified by introducing thermally conductive additives on their outer shell surface. As additives, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxyoxythiophene) poly (styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT: PSS) were used in different parts by weight (1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.%). The main aim of this modification—to enhance the thermal performance of the microencapsulated PCMs intended for textile applications. The morphologic analysis of the newly formed coating of MWCNTs or PEDOT: PSS microcapsules shell was observed by SEM. The heat storage and release capacity were evaluated by changing microcapsules MPCM32D shell modification. In order to evaluate the influence of the modified MF outer shell on the thermal properties of paraffin PCM, a thermal conductivity coefficient (λ) of these unmodified and shell-modified microcapsules was also measured by the comparative method. Based on the identified optimal parameters of the thermal performance of the tested PCM microcapsules, a 3D warp-knitted spacer fabric from PET was treated with a composition containing 5 wt.% MWCNTs or 5 wt.% PEDOT: PSS shell-modified microcapsules MPCM32D and acrylic resin binder. To assess the dynamic thermal behaviour of the treated fabric samples, an IR heating source and IR camera were used. The fabric with 5 wt.% MWCNTs or 5 wt.% PEDOT: PSS in shell-modified paraffin microcapsules MPCM32D revealed much faster heating and significantly slower cooling compared to the fabric treated with the unmodified ones. The thermal conductivity of the investigated fabric samples with modified microcapsules MPCM32D has been improved in comparison to the fabric samples with unmodified ones. That confirms the positive influence of using thermally conductive enhancing additives for the heat transfer rate within the textile sample containing these modified paraffin PCM microcapsules.