Fabrication of Curli Fiber-PEDOT:PSS Biomaterials with Tunable Self-Healing, Mechanical, and Electrical Properties.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a highly conductive, easily processable, self-healing polymer. It has been shown to be useful in bioelectronic applications, for instance, as a biointerfacing layer for studying brain activity, in biosensitive transistors, and in wearable biosensors. A green and biofriendly method for improving the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and stability of PEDOT:PSS involves mixing the polymer with a biopolymer. Via structural changes and interactions with PEDOT:PSS, biopolymers have the potential to improve the self-healing ability, flexibility, and electrical conductivity of the composite. In this work, we fabricated novel protein-polymer multifunctional composites by mixing PEDOT:PSS with genetically programmable amyloid curli fibers produced by