3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review
Electrically conductive hydrogels (ECHs), an emerging class of biomaterials, have garnered tremendous attention due to their potential for a wide variety of biomedical applications, from tissue-engineered scaffolds to smart bioelectronics. Along with the development of new hydrogel systems, 3D print...
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doaj-afb751c2400a42598405aadb4bf76faf2021-02-03T00:06:26ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-02-011347447410.3390/polym130304743D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A ReviewSandya Shiranthi Athukorala0Tuan Sang Tran1Rajkamal Balu2Vi Khanh Truong3James Chapman4Naba Kumar Dutta5Namita Roy Choudhury6School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaElectrically conductive hydrogels (ECHs), an emerging class of biomaterials, have garnered tremendous attention due to their potential for a wide variety of biomedical applications, from tissue-engineered scaffolds to smart bioelectronics. Along with the development of new hydrogel systems, 3D printing of such ECHs is one of the most advanced approaches towards rapid fabrication of future biomedical implants and devices with versatile designs and tuneable functionalities. In this review, an overview of the state-of-the-art 3D printed ECHs comprising conductive polymers (polythiophene, polyaniline and polypyrrole) and/or conductive fillers (graphene, MXenes and liquid metals) is provided, with an insight into mechanisms of electrical conductivity and design considerations for tuneable physiochemical properties and biocompatibility. Recent advances in the formulation of 3D printable bioinks and their practical applications are discussed; current challenges and limitations of 3D printing of ECHs are identified; new 3D printing-based hybrid methods for selective deposition and fabrication of controlled nanostructures are highlighted; and finally, future directions are proposed.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/3/4743D printinghydrogelsconductive polymersgraphenetissue engineeringbioelectronics |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Sandya Shiranthi Athukorala Tuan Sang Tran Rajkamal Balu Vi Khanh Truong James Chapman Naba Kumar Dutta Namita Roy Choudhury |
spellingShingle |
Sandya Shiranthi Athukorala Tuan Sang Tran Rajkamal Balu Vi Khanh Truong James Chapman Naba Kumar Dutta Namita Roy Choudhury 3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review Polymers 3D printing hydrogels conductive polymers graphene tissue engineering bioelectronics |
author_facet |
Sandya Shiranthi Athukorala Tuan Sang Tran Rajkamal Balu Vi Khanh Truong James Chapman Naba Kumar Dutta Namita Roy Choudhury |
author_sort |
Sandya Shiranthi Athukorala |
title |
3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review |
title_short |
3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review |
title_full |
3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review |
title_fullStr |
3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review |
title_full_unstemmed |
3D Printable Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review |
title_sort |
3d printable electrically conductive hydrogel scaffolds for biomedical applications: a review |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Polymers |
issn |
2073-4360 |
publishDate |
2021-02-01 |
description |
Electrically conductive hydrogels (ECHs), an emerging class of biomaterials, have garnered tremendous attention due to their potential for a wide variety of biomedical applications, from tissue-engineered scaffolds to smart bioelectronics. Along with the development of new hydrogel systems, 3D printing of such ECHs is one of the most advanced approaches towards rapid fabrication of future biomedical implants and devices with versatile designs and tuneable functionalities. In this review, an overview of the state-of-the-art 3D printed ECHs comprising conductive polymers (polythiophene, polyaniline and polypyrrole) and/or conductive fillers (graphene, MXenes and liquid metals) is provided, with an insight into mechanisms of electrical conductivity and design considerations for tuneable physiochemical properties and biocompatibility. Recent advances in the formulation of 3D printable bioinks and their practical applications are discussed; current challenges and limitations of 3D printing of ECHs are identified; new 3D printing-based hybrid methods for selective deposition and fabrication of controlled nanostructures are highlighted; and finally, future directions are proposed. |
topic |
3D printing hydrogels conductive polymers graphene tissue engineering bioelectronics |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/3/474 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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