In vitro analysis of a physiological strain sensor formulated from a PEDOT: PSS functionalized carbon nanotube-poly (glycerol sebacate urethane) composite

Abstract

Biodegradable strain sensors able to undergo controlled degradation following implantation have recently received significant interest as novel approaches to detect pathological tissue swelling or non-physiological stresses. In this study, the physicomechanical, electrochemical and active pressure sensing behavior of an electrically conductive and biodegradable poly(glycerol sebacate urethane) (PGSU) composite, reinforced with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs), was evaluated in vitro. Analysis of these PGSU-CNTs composites demonstrated that the incorporation of functionalized CNTs into a biodegradable elastomer resulted in enhanced mechanical strength, conductivity and tailored matrix biodegradation. PGSU-CNT composites were subsequently formulated into flexible and active pressure sensors which demonstrated optimal sensitivity to applied 1% uniaxial tensile strains. Finally, cytocompatibility analysis a with primary neural culture confirmed that PGSU-CNT composites exhibited low cytotoxicity, and supported neuron adhesion, viability, and proliferation in vitro.