Journal Article

Construction of conductive hydroxyethyl cellulose/soy protein isolate/polypyrrole composite sponges and their performances

Cheng, Qianqian, He, Meng, Ai Junjie, Yang Qiankun, Wang Chengshuang, Chen, Yun, Zhao Yanteng, Lv Xianping, Feng Mengna

2021

Overview

In the present study, we have in situ synthesized polypyrrole (PPy) on the hydroxyethyl cellulose/soy protein isolate (HEC/SPI) sponges to construct electro-conductive HEC/SPI/PPy composite sponges (EHSS-Pn, n > 0). The composite sponges were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, conductivity and mechanical tests. The results indicated that EHSS-Pn still exhibit homogenous inter-connected macroporous structure for cell adhesion, proliferation and metabolism, indicating that the incorporation of PPy didn’t break the original HEC/SPI sponge structure. The electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the HEC/SPI sponge were improved significantly by the incorporation of PPy. Cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility of all the sponges were evaluated by a series of in vitro experiments. The results of MTT assay and cell direct contact tests showed that the introduction of PPy didn’t cause any cytotoxicity and EHSS-Pn had good biocompatibility. Moreover, EHSS-Pn had good hemocompatibility and no obvious side effects on the as-prepared anticoagulant whole blood after the introduction of PPy. Therefore, the electro-conductive EHSS-Pn showed potential application in the tissue engineering field that requires electrical conductivity for stimulation or sensing such as neural tissue restoration.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Biocompatibility / Cell adhesion / Cellulose / Electric contacts / Electrical resistivity / Fourier transforms / Hydroxyethyl celluloses / Mechanical properties / Mechanical tests / Polypyrroles / Proteins / Side effects / Sponges / Tissue engineering / Toxicity