Work

Printable, self-healing and recyclable PEDOT:PSS/polyurethane composites for durable bioelectronics

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ), high stretchability (>650%), strong self-adhesion, and stable performance under repeated deformation. Importantly, the material supports both mechanical reuse and chemical recycling over at least 15 cycles, retaining more than 90% of its mechanical strength and fully recovering its electrical conductivity. Mechanistic investigations reveal that reversible disulfide exchange and hydrogen bond reformation govern rapid network reorganization and efficient self-repair. Printed electronic tattoos and free-standing electrodes fabricated from this composite deliver low-impedance and high-fidelity electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. Together, these results establish a sustainable and versatile materials platform that advances self-healing conductors beyond superficial damage, providing a practical pathway toward durable and recyclable bioelectronic materials and devices.

Source: Materials Horizons

DOI: 10.1039/d6mh00177g

Authors: Jinsil Kim, Fabio Cicoira

Institution: Polytechnique Montréal

Language: English

Topic: Conducting polymers and applications

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: CMC Microsystems, Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies