Abstract
AbstractPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are unique polyester of microbial origin with features equivalent to synthetic plastics. Its thermoplastic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and nontoxic characteristic makes it a suitable biopolymer for various sectors of modern sciences and industry, including biomedical and related applications. The physical properties of PHA can be tuned by changing its monomeric units (hydroxyl acids) and/or modifying the flexible R-group present within the monomers. Thus, the PHA polymer can have broad crystallinity, optical, and piezoelectric activities that can be customized. Recent advancements in industrial manufacturing techniques led to the utilization of PHA polymers in sensing applications and developing microelectronic devices. Sensing devices based on PHA polymer along with other composite materials have been used to detect gases, volatile organic compounds, Urea, H2O2, antibiotics, body fluids, and live microorganisms. In addition, PHA-based devices also found their role as triboelectric nanogenerators, time-temperature indicators, strain sensors, chemosensors, and pressure sensors. In this chapter, these unique applications of PHA in sensing applications will be discussed, along with the recent advancements and associated challenges. The PHA polymers are great alternatives for miniaturized electronic devices with lower ecological impact, and with recent developments in biocomposite fabrication. Soon the PHA-based sensors will find their place in our daily lives.KeywordsBioplasticBiosensorsPiezoelectricBiomedical applicationDetectionTriboelectricityPolyhydroxyalkanoate nanocomposite
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