Robust Neural Interfaces with Photopatternable, Bioadhesive, and Highly Conductive Hydrogels for Stable Chronic Neuromodulation

A robust neural interface with intimate electrical coupling between neural electrodes and neural tissues is critical for stable chronic neuromodulation. The development of bioadhesive hydrogel neural electrodes is a potential approach for tightly fixing the neural electrodes on the epineurium surface to construct a robust neural interface. Herein, we construct a photopatternable, antifouling, conductive (∼6 S cm–1), bioadhesive (interfacial toughness ∼100 J m–2), soft, and elastic (∼290% strain, Young's modulus of 7.25 kPa) hydrogel to establish a robust neural interface for bioelectronics. The UV-sensitive zwitterionic monomer can facilitate the formation of an electrostatic-assembled conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS network, and it can be further photo-cross-linked into elastic polymer network. Such a semi-interpenetrating network endows the hydrogel electrodes with good conductivity. Especially, the photopatternable feature enables the facile microfabrication processes of multifunctional hydrogel (MH) interface with a characteristic size of 50 μm. The MH neural electrodes, which show improved performance of impedance, charge storage capacity, and charge injection capability, can produce effective electrical stimulation with high current density (1 mA cm–2) at ultralow voltages (±25 mV). The MH interface could realize high-efficient electrical communication at the chronic neural interface for stable recording and stimulation of a sciatic nerve in the rat model.