Biocompatible conductive alginate/polyaniline-graphene neural conduits fabricated using a facile solution extrusion technique

In this study, conductive sodium alginate/polyaniline/graphene (PAG) NGCs were fabricated utilizing a straightforward solution extrusion method. The 4 point-probe test revealed that the addition of PAG has increased the conductivity of the NGCs up to 9.7 x 10(-3) S.cm(-1). The results also showed a remarkable increase in the Young modulus and SEM images revealed that the suggested process could produce NGCs continuously and uniformly with desirable porosity. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum proved a good interaction between PAG and the polymeric matrix. Furthermore, the addition of PAG slightly prevented biodegradation of the NGCs. Finally, the cell viability assay confirmed the ability of PAG to stimulate PC12 proliferation. The results corroborated the potential use of NGCs to be applied in nerve tissue engineering applications.