Electroactive actuation and conductive behavior of polyaniline-impregnated blood compatible nanocomposites

Abstract

Novel electrically conducting and biocompatible composite hydrogel materials comprising polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol—g—poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) matrix were prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline. The prepared ionic nanocomposites were evaluated for their water-uptake capacity in distilled water and electrolyte solutions. While structural confirmation and crystalline nature of the synthesized graft copolymer was sought by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques, respectively, morphology and dimension of PANI particles embedded into the colored optically semi-transparent polymer films were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Electrical conductivity of composite hydrogels containing different percentages of PANI was determined by the LCR meter while the electroactive behavior of composite hydrogel swollen in electrolyte solution was investigated by effective bend angle measurements. Considering the potential of electrically conductive nanocomposite materials in biomedical applications, the in vitro blood compatibility of nanocomposites was investigated by employing several established in vitro test procedures.