ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the synthesis of conducting polymers (CPs) and outlines factors of synthesis that have a significant impact on the properties of the formed CPs. The vast majority of publications detailing research undertaken in this area of biomedical uses of CPs focus on the CPs, such as polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Among other CPs, PPy and its derivatives are of particular interest, owing to their excellent biocompatibility, high conductivity, stability in the oxidized state, and interesting redox properties. CPs forms an interface with biological systems are typically synthesized using electrochemical techniques. This chapter focuses on electrochemical polymerization approaches and describes methods used to impart micro- and nanostructures to CPs and associated effects on cellular interactions and responses. Electrochemical polymerization occurs without the use of a chemical oxidant, as it is the application of a suitable voltage or current that drives oxidation of the appropriate monomer that undergoes radical-radical coupling to form polymer chains.
