Integrating electrical conductivity capability into 3D printed alginate-gelatin hydrogels as skin tissue constructs for temperature sensing
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The development of electrically conductive hydrogels has emerged as a critical advancement in soft electronics, enabling multifunctional devices for biomedical applications. This work introduces biocompatible and conductive three-dimensional (3D) printed hydrogels based on alginate-gelatin matrices, modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and MXene nanosheets (Ti₃C₂Tₓ), as electronic-engineered skin hybrid platforms for temperature sensing. The hydrogels demonstrate tunable conductivity, reaching values of 0.44 S/m for AuNP-modified and 1.04 S/m for MXene-modified samples. Structural analysis confirmed the preservation of a porous architecture, while rheological studies highlighted their mechanical integrity. Both modifications imparted temperature sensitivity, with an approximately 20% increase in current response between 30 °C and 40 °C and sensitivities in the range from -1.54 to 2.00 %ºC -1 . These hydrogels also exhibit excellent cytocompatibility, making them ideal candidates for engineered skin scaffolds. The combination of temperature sensing and biocompatibility advances the potential use of conductive hydrogels in real-time physiological monitoring and infection detection, marking a significant contribution to the field of bioelectronics. • 3D-printed hydrogels with AuNPs and MXene enable biocompatible temperature sensors. • Conductive nanocomposites achieve tunable electrical properties without losing porosity. • Hydrogels show high TCR values (up to 2 % ºC -1 ) demonstrating temperature sensitivity. • Novel bioelectronic platform advances real-time monitoring for tissue engineering applications.
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Medicine
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
Awards: G1105844351, G148081399, G1565237678, G2038104832, G2064873908, G2235657995, G2262748287, G2355262757, G2462415295, G2545677121, G288263039, G2891236724, G2957812903, G3005324705, G3337456382, G3423297812, G3480869486, G3546882995, G3613854439, G409475969, G4212894969, G425668148, G4423610454, G4914021699, G491712853, G5404395142, G5582235161, G5635532810, G5806516646, G5852091828, G5928435589, G6210001966, G624877701, G639390212, G6905006904, G69051668, G6935390997, G7058218161, G7084143925, G7466406081, G7805626310, G7863371703, G8497050386
OpenAlex ID: W4415225043