Biocompatible Piezoelectric Elastomer for Self-Powered Electronics

Piezoelectric elastomers suit the body’s curvature and flexibility, making them promising for biomedicine, but they must be biocompatible for tissue contact. Traditional piezoelectric ceramics are rigid and toxic, and synthetic polymers, despite their flexibility, often require harmful organic reagents in fabrication, posing risks to biological safety. To attain a harmonious balance among biocompatibility, piezoelectricity, and elasticity, we designed a biocompatible piezoelectric elastomer by combining HOCH2(CF2)3CH2OH (HFPD) with a waterborne polyurethane (WPU) matrix. Both HFPD and WPU are biocompatible, and the use of water in preparation ensures safety. This elastomer exhibits excellent biocompatibility, superior piezoelectric performance without poling, and maintains high output even at 200% tensile strain. Our work offers a simple yet effective strategy for biocompatible and elastic piezoelectric materials. This approach holds promise for advancing biomedical materials and wearable power sources.