Abstract
Organic electronic materials have been considered for a wide-range of technological applications. More recently these organic (semi)conductors (encompassing both conducting and semi-conducting organic electronic materials) have received increasing attention as materials for bioelectronic applications. Biological tissues typically comprise soft, elastic, carbon-based macromolecules and polymers, and communication in these biological systems is usually mediated via mixed electronic and ionic conduction. In contrast to hard inorganic semiconductors, whose primary charge carriers are electrons and holes, organic (semi)conductors uniquely match the mechanical and conduction properties of biotic tissue. Here, we review the biocompatibility of organic electronic materials and their implementation in bioelectronic applications.
Highlights
Bioelectronic devices can already be found in many applications in the medical sector
This review focuses on the biocompatibility of organic electronic materials and their potential use in bioelectronic devices
When a voltage is applied across the electrodes, ion motion occurs from source to target regions via the PEDOT:PSS ion channel to compensate for the electronic current that flows in the external circuit
Summary
Bioelectronic devices can already be found in many applications in the medical sector. Inorganic electronic materials have been conventionally used in bioelectronics due to a well-established integrated circuit industry and the wide range of inorganic semiconductor devices that are available. These abiotic electronic materials have significant drawbacks when it comes to forming a lasting interface with biotic living tissue due to their mechanical rigidity [8], surface structure [9], nature of charge transport [10], biofouling/surface oxides [11], and the limited number of materials that are biocompatible [12]. We review the types of biocompatibility tests that are frequently used, the outcome of these tests for various organic semiconductors, and identify classes of organic semiconductors that are of interest to bioelectronic applications
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