Dextrin- and Conducting-Polymer-Containing Biocomposites: Properties and Behavior as Cellular Matrix

Both a-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.