Fanfan Fu

Bio: Fanfan Fu is an academic researcher from Nanyang Technological University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Self-healing hydrogels & Bioelectronics. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 48 citations. Previous affiliations of Fanfan Fu include Nanjing University of Science and Technology.

Functional Conductive Hydrogels for Bioelectronics

Abstract: Conductive hydrogels are widely used in various applications, such as artificial skin, flexible and implantable bioelectronics, and tissue engineering. However, it is still a challenge to formulate...

Interpenetrating PAA-PEDOT conductive hydrogels for flexible skin sensors

Abstract: Conductive hydrogels are promising material candidates in artificial skin and muscles, flexible and implantable bioelectronics, and tissue engineering. However, it is still a challenging task to formulate hydrogels with high electrical conductivity without compromising their physicochemical properties. Herein, we report an interpenetrating poly(acrylic acid)-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PAA-PEDOT) hydrogel with high electrical conductivity and good stretchability. A second PEDOT hydrogel network is electrochemically polymerized into an existing PAA hydrogel network. The interpenetrating hydrogel can be readily prepared and integrated into epidermal flexible electronic devices for the real-time, on-body detection of various ions in human sweat. The interpenetrating PAA-PEDOT conductive hydrogel has the potential to be an important building material for various flexible electronic devices for personalized healthcare.

Zwitterionic Polymer-Grafted Superhydrophilic and Superoleophobic Silk Fabrics for Anti-Oil Applications

Abstract: A highly anti-oil fabric membrane is synthesized by surface grafting of zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA) onto the fabric surface. The fabric membrane is first enzymatically modified to create more reactive amine groups on the surface. A surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) reaction is then performed to modify the fabric membrane surface with a dense PSBMA brush layer. Surface characterization indicates that the brush-grafted fabric membrane exhibits increased surface roughness and improved superhydrophilicity. The PSBMA-modified silk fabrics show a very large contact angle for oil droplets in water, and have excellent oil resistance in air and in water-oil mixtures.

Conducting polymers: a comprehensive review on recent advances in synthesis, properties and applications

Abstract: Conducting polymers are extensively studied due to their outstanding properties, including tunable electrical property, optical and high mechanical properties, easy synthesis and effortless fabrication and high environmental stability over conventional inorganic materials Although conducting polymers have a lot of limitations in their pristine form, hybridization with other materials overcomes these limitations The synergetic effects of conducting polymer composites give them wide applications in electrical, electronics and optoelectronic fields An in-depth analysis of composites of conducting polymers with carbonaceous materials, metal oxides, transition metals and transition metal dichalcogenides etc is used to study them effectively Here in this review we seek to describe the transport models which help to explain the conduction mechanism, relevant synthesis approaches, and physical properties, including electrical, optical and mechanical properties Recent developments in their applications in the fields of energy storage, photocatalysis, anti-corrosion coatings, biomedical applications and sensing applications are also explained Structural properties play an important role in the performance of the composites

Tannic Acid-Silver Dual Catalysis Induced Rapid Polymerization of Conductive Hydrogel Sensors with Excellent Stretchability, Self-Adhesion, and Strain-Sensitivity Properties.

Abstract: The application of conductive hydrogels in intelligent biomimetic electronics is a hot topic in recent years, but it is still a great challenge to develop the conductive hydrogels through a rapid fabrication process at ambient temperature. In this work, a versatile poly(acrylamide) @cellulose nanocrystal/tannic acid-silver nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel integrated with excellent stretchability, repeatable self-adhesion, high strain sensitivity, and antibacterial property, was synthesized via radical polymerization within 30 s at ambient temperature. Notably, this rapid polymerization was realized through a tannic acid-silver (TA-Ag) mediated dynamic catalysis system that was capable of activating ammonium persulfate and then initiated the free-radical polymerization of the acrylamide monomer. Benefiting from the incorporation of TA-Ag metal ion nanocomplexes and cellulose nanocrystals, which acted as dynamic connecting bridges by hydrogen bonds to efficiently dissipate energy, the obtained NC hydrogels exhibited prominent tensile strain (up to 4000%), flexibility, self-recovery, and antifatigue properties. In addition, the hydrogels showed repeatable adhesiveness to different substrates (e.g., glass, wood, bone, metal, and skin) and significant antibacterial properties, which were merits for the hydrogels to be assembled into a flexible epidermal sensor for long-term human-machine interfacial contact without concerns about the use of external adhesive tapes and bacterial breeding. Moreover, the remarkable conductivity (σ ∼ 5.6 ms cm-1) and strain sensitivity (gauge factor = 1.02) allowed the flexible epidermal sensors to monitor various human motions in real time, including huge movement of deformations (e.g., wrist, elbow, neck, shoulder) and subtle motions. It is envisioned that this work would provide a promising strategy for the rapid preparation of conductive hydrogels in the application of flexible electronic skin, biomedical devices, and soft robotics.

Balancing the mechanical, electronic, and self-healing properties in conductive self-healing hydrogel for wearable sensor applications

Abstract: Conductive self-healing hydrogels (CSHs) that match the mechanical properties of biological tissues are highly desired for emerging wearable electronics. However, it is still a fundamental challenge to balance the trade-offs among the mechanical, electronic, and self-healing properties in CSHs. In this study, we presented supramolecular double-network (DN) CSHs by pre-infiltrating conductive polyaniline (PANI) precursor into the self-healable hydrophobic association poly(acrylic acid) (HAPAA) hydrogel matrix. The dynamic interfacial interactions between the HAPAA and PANI networks efficiently enhanced the mechanical performances of the HAPAA/PANI (PAAN) hydrogel and could compensate for the negative effect of the enhanced mechanical strength on self-healing. In addition, the interconnected PANI network endowed the PAAN hydrogel with high conductivity and excellent sensory performances. As such, the mechanical and electronic properties of the PAAN hydrogel were simultaneously enhanced significantly without compromising the self-healing performance of the HAPAA matrix, achieving balanced mechanical, electronic, and self-healing properties in the PAAN hydrogel. Lastly, proof-of-concept applications like human physiological monitoring electronics, flexible touch screens, and artificial electronic skin are successfully demonstrated using the PAAN hydrogel with the capability of restoring their electronic performances after the healing process. It is anticipated that such hydrogel network design can be extended into next-generation hydrogel electronics for human–machine-interfaces and soft robotics.

Multifunctional conductive hydrogels and their applications as smart wearable devices

Abstract: Recently, hydrogel-based conductive materials and their applications as smart wearable devices have been paid tremendous attention due to their high stretchability, flexibility, and excellent biocompatibility. Compared with single functional conductive hydrogels, multifunctional conductive hydrogels are more advantageous to match various demands for practical applications. This review focuses on multifunctional conductive hydrogels applied for smart wearable devices. Representative strategies for conduction of hydrogels are discussed firstly: (1) electronic conduction based on the conductive fillers and (2) ionic conduction based on charged ions. Then, the common and intensive research on multiple functionalities of conductive hydrogels, such as mechanical properties, conductive and sensory properties, anti-freezing and moisturizing properties, and adhesion and self-healing properties is presented. The applications of multifunctional conductive hydrogels such as in human motion sensors, sensory skins, and personal healthcare diagnosis are provided in the third part. Finally, we offer our perspective on open challenges and future areas of interest for multifunctional conductive hydrogels used as smart wearable devices.

Wearable Biosensors: An Alternative and Practical Approach in Healthcare and Disease Monitoring.

Abstract: With the increasing prevalence of growing population, aging and chronic diseases continuously rising healthcare costs, the healthcare system is undergoing a vital transformation from the traditional hospital-centered system to an individual-centered system. Since the 20th century, wearable sensors are becoming widespread in healthcare and biomedical monitoring systems, empowering continuous measurement of critical biomarkers for monitoring of the diseased condition and health, medical diagnostics and evaluation in biological fluids like saliva, blood, and sweat. Over the past few decades, the developments have been focused on electrochemical and optical biosensors, along with advances with the non-invasive monitoring of biomarkers, bacteria and hormones, etc. Wearable devices have evolved gradually with a mix of multiplexed biosensing, microfluidic sampling and transport systems integrated with flexible materials and body attachments for improved wearability and simplicity. These wearables hold promise and are capable of a higher understanding of the correlations between analyte concentrations within the blood or non-invasive biofluids and feedback to the patient, which is significantly important in timely diagnosis, treatment, and control of medical conditions. However, cohort validation studies and performance evaluation of wearable biosensors are needed to underpin their clinical acceptance. In the present review, we discuss the importance, features, types of wearables, challenges and applications of wearable devices for biological fluids for the prevention of diseased conditions and real-time monitoring of human health. Herein, we summarize the various wearable devices that are developed for healthcare monitoring and their future potential has been discussed in detail.