(713f) Biocompatible and Electroactive Polymers

Hydrophilic and electroactive (EA) monomers were utilized to design a polymer that would be both biocompatible and responsive to an external electrical stimulus. In this study, electroactive-hydrogel polymers (EAHPs) were developed and characterized for responsiveness to external electrical stimuli. These polymers may be functionally used as actuators or sensors in biomedical devices. A variety of EA monomers were cross-linked with poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate of varying molecular weights. UV photopolymerization was conducted using 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) as the photosensitive initiator. Biocompatibility is best achieved if the EAHP can retain water content similar to living tissue. For biocompatibility, the EAHPs were characterized for their hydrophilic properties, resistance to degradation in solution, and thermal stability. The mechanical responsiveness of the EAHP depends on the physical structure of the polymer. The degree and quality of cross-linking within the EAHP may affect the conductivity and ability of the polymer to deform when it is electrically stimulated. The mechanical response of the EAHPs was characterized in relation to the conductivity when a range of voltages were provided. These characteristics will be used to later develop mathematical relationships between the water solubility, conductivity, and degree of cross-linking of the EAHP to achieve the desired biocompatible, mechanical, and electrical properties.