A Novel Electrochemically Switchable Conductive Polymer Interface for Controlled Capture and Release of Chemical and Biological Entities

Materials platforms that enable controlled isolation and subsequent release of chemical/biological entities are in great demand for a diverse range of practical applications. Current technologies lack good control and efficiency of the release, which is needed to preserve the captured targets of interest. Here, this need is addressed by providing a versatile, controllable, electrochemical capture/release interface. The interface consists of a highly porous electrospun membrane, electrodeposited with a thiol-functionalized 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) conductive terpolymer, in which the thiol moiety undergoes oxidation/reduction cycles at moderate potentials (+1.0 and -0.8 V, respectively) to enable capture/release. The fast oxidative capture (1 min) and reductive release (2 min) of a model thiol molecule in a highly controllable manner, followed by successful capture/release of an antibody, are demonstrated. Then, femtosecond laser-patterning is used to fabricate an array of approximate to 30 mu m pores on the electrospun membrane, subsequently coated with the conducting terpolymer, enabling the highly efficient (>90%), fast (20 min) and selective capture of MCF7 cancer cells with 33% release efficiency when polarized at -0.8 V. The released cells show a high level of viability, indicating the capture and release process does not affect cell survival.

Automated summary

This study presents an electrochemical capture/release interface for efficient and selective capture of chemical/biological entities, such as molecules and cancer cells, with high viability upon release. The use of a highly porous electrospun membrane electrodeposited with a thiol-functionalized conductive terpolymer allows for fast and controlled capture/release processes. Additionally, femtosecond laser-patterning of the membrane enhances the efficiency and selectivity of the capture, demonstrating potential for various practical applications.