Electro-assisted printing of soft hydrogels via controlled electrochemical reactions

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of hydrogels, methods offering improved control over gelation mechanisms and patterning are still sought for. Here, the authors explore potentiostatic control in electrochemical-chemical-chemical reactions on chitosan, alginate and alginate/PEDOT composite systems which allows selection of covalent and ionic gelation mechanisms as well as the growth rate of the hydrogel.