Erodible Conducting Polymers for Potential Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Conducting films and pellets formed from β-substituted polypyrroles (see picture; R=H, CH3) erode under aqueous conditions in a pH-dependent manner, which allows erosion rates to be tailored through differences in polymer side-chain structure. These conducting materials support the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of primary human cells, and could lead to the use of conducting polymers in a variety of new biomedical applications.