Calcium‐Modified Silk as a Biocompatible and Strong Adhesive for Epidermal Electronics

By Ji-Won Seo, Hyojung Kim, Kyuhan Kim, Siyoung Q. Choi, Hyunjoo J. Lee. Advanced Functional Materials, 2018

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With the increasing interest and demand for epidermal electronics, a strong interface between a sensor and a biological surface is essential, yet achieving such interface is still a challenge. Here, a calcium (Ca)‐modified biocompatible silk fibroin as a strong adhesive for epidermal electronics is proposed and the physical principles behind its interfacial and adhesive properties are reported. A strong adhesive characteristic (>800 N m−1) is observed because of the increase in both viscoelastic property and mechanical interlocking through the incorporation of Ca ions. Furthermore, additional key characteristics of the Ca‐modified silk: reusability, stretchability, biocompatibility, and conductivity, are reported. These characteristics enable a wide range of applications as demonstrated in four epidermal electronic systems: capacitive touch sensor, resistive strain sensor, hydrogel‐based drug delivery, and electrocardiogram monitoring sensor. As a reusable, biocompatible, conductive, and strong adhesive with water‐degradability, the Ca‐modified silk adhesive is a promising candidate for the next‐generation adhesive for epidermal biomedical sensors.

Subfields: Biomaterials, Biomedical Engineering, Polymers and Plastics

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/c7188ca5f30e175c3953f18ea69606ff1386fcfc