Enzymatic and Photo-Induced In Situ Polymerization of OMIECs for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces

Organic mixed ion and electron conductors (OMIECs) are integral to bioelectronic interfaces and organic devices. Conventional OMIEC synthesis methods—liquid-phase oxidative polymerization, vapor-phase oxidative polymerization, and electrochemical polymerization—offer distinct advantages but also face significant limitations, especially when interfacing with biological tissues. We present two innovative strategies for the in-situ development of OMIECs within living tissue. Drawing inspiration from natural processes, we utilize thiophene-based monomers and enzymatic reactions to form conductive polymer gels directly within the nervous system. Additionally, we have designed an organic monomer that responds to visible light, enabling the formation of self-doped conducting polymers. Both approaches have been successfully applied to create organic conductors in vivo and are used as active materials in organic electrochemical transistors. These novel methodologies overcome the constraints of traditional synthesis techniques, opening new avenues for designing soft, biocompatible, and high-performance electronic interfaces.