Functional Hydrogels for Implantable Bioelectronic Devices

Abstract

In recent years, with the rapid development of flexible electronics, implantable electronic devices have received increasing attention, and they provide new solutions for medical diagnosis and treatment. To ensure the long-term and stable operation of electronic devices in the internal environment, materials with conductivity, flexibility, biocompatibility, and other properties are in high demand. Hydrogels are polymers with three-dimensional network structures that not only have physical and chemical properties similar to those of biological tissues but can be also modulated by introducing functional groups to regulate the conductivity, adhesion, self-healing, and other functions. Therefore, hydrogel-based implantable bioelectronic devices are considered to be a candidate development direction in the future of the biomedical field. Here, this paper reviews the research progress in the molecular design and performance modulation of functionalized hydrogels based on four key properties of hydrogels: conductivity, self-healing, adhesion, and toughness. The latest progress in the use of functionalized hydrogels in implantable bioelectronic device applications is summarized below. Finally, discussions are given on the challenges and opportunities of hydrogels for implantable bioelectronic devices.