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Date Permissions Signed

5-13-2016

Date of Award

Spring 2016

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Murphy, Amanda R.

Second Advisor

Leger, Janelle

Third Advisor

Rider, David A. (Materials scientist)

Abstract

Flexible and conductive biocompatible materials are attractive candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications including implantable electrodes, tissue engineering, and controlled drug delivery. Here we demonstrated that chemical and electrochemical polymerization techniques can be combined to create highly versatile silk-conducting polymer (silk-CP) composites with enhanced conductivity and electrochemical stability. Interpenetrating silk-CP composites were first generated via in situ deposition of polypyrrole during chemical polymerization of pyrrole. These composites were sufficiently conductive to serve as working electrodes for electropolymerization, allowing an additional layer of CP to be deposited on the surface. This two-step technique expanded the range of available polymers and dopants suitable for the synthesis of mechanically robust, biocompatible, and highly conductive silk-based materials. The sequential method was applied to 2D films, 3D sponge-like silk scaffolds, and electrospun silk fibers, allowing the fabrication of conductive materials with biomimetic architectures. The electrospun fibers were able to be prepared with a high degree of alignment and permeability that was conserved during modification with conducting polymers. These electrospun materials were utilized to fabricate electromechanical actuators. The mechanism, performance, and efficacy under extended cycling of the actuator devices were analyzed in biomimetic electrolyte solutions.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/y18m-cv02

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

950396287

Subject – LCSH

Tissue engineering; Silk; Conducting polymers; Biomedical materials; Actuators

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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