Both α-cyclodextrin and linear dextrin are used to prepare biocomposites with poly(3,4-
ethylenedioxythiophene). Materials are prepared electrochemically in aqueous solution.
Comparison with the pure polymer indicates that the electroactivity and electrostability
decrease with the incorporation of the dextrins while the electrical conductivity is retained. The different properties of the two biocomposites suggest that the linear dextrin is mainly located at the surface, whereas the cyclodextrin is homogeneously distributed in the polymeric matrix. Cell adhesion and proliferation assays indicate that the cellular activity is significantly higher in the dextrin-containing biocomposites.Acknowledgements: Financial support from the MICINN and
FEDER (MAT2009-09138) and Generalitat de Catalunya (research group 2009 SGR 925 and XRQTC) is gratefully acknowledged.
B.T.-D. acknowledges support from the MICINN through an FPI
grant and financial support for his stay at the 3B’s Research Group
(Portugal). The support from project PTDC/FIS/115048/2009 (FCTPortugal)
is also acknowledged. Authors are indebted to Dr. Elaine
Armelin for helpful suggestions and to David Aradilla for
assistance in electrical measures and SEM micrographs. Support
for the research of C.A. was received through the prize ‘‘ICREA
Academia’’ for excellence in research funded by the Generalitat de
Catalunya
