Conductive rGO/PEGDA Hydrogel for Controllable Drug Release

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels, despite their widespread use, lack bio-conductivity and effective drug delivery mechanisms. To address these limitations, we engineered a conductive hydrogel by incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into the PEGDA matrix. This composite hydrogel exhibits electrical conductivity of 1.92 × 10^–4S/cm and the ability to release embedded nanoparticles in a controlled manner. The release kinetics of the nanoparticles were modulated by varying the applied electrical voltage (range 2–10 V) and. Detailed investigations of the hydrogel's surface morphology pre- and post-electrical treatment revealed significant structural changes, with an exponential increase in pore size with increasing induced electrical stimulation. Biocompatibility assays with mouse fibroblast cells demonstrated that the composite hydrogel is non-toxic and supports cell viability, with over 75% cell survival after 72 h of incubation. In vitro nanoparticle viability assays confirmed that the nanoparticles retained functional integrity upon release from the hydrogel matrix. These results highlight the composite hydrogel's potential to preserve the beneficial properties of conventional hydrogels while offering enhanced capabilities for electrically stimulated drug delivery. Our study suggests that the rGO/PEGDA hydrogel holds significant promise for future applications in controlled drug release systems. This innovative material paves the way for advanced therapeutic strategies, particularly in targeted drug delivery and regenerative medicine, leveraging electrical stimulation for precise control over drug release dynamics.