The principal focus of this Thesis is the development and design of promising hybrid nanocomposites based on conducting polymers with the main objective of achieving applications in the field of biotechnology and biomedicine. The main lines of research can be summarized as follows;1) Preparation, characterization and evaluation of N-substituted polypyrrole derivatives and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for electrochemical detection of dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters associated to neurological disorders. In order to examine this purpose, different strategies have been taken into account such as, polymerization method using individual or even combined conducting polymers, the incorporation of gold nanoparticles, the use of soft templates, and other approachs. 2) Design of synthetic amino acids bearing an EDOT group to develop peptide-PEDOT hybrids materials based on chemical similarity concepts. The conjugates have shown that the electrical and electrochemical properties of the conducting polymers are preserved. Therefore, one of their potential applications would be as candidates for the development of platforms with bioactive and bioelectrocompatible properties. 3) Preparation and characterization of organic hybrid materials formed by an all-conjugated polythiophene backbone andwell-defined polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted chains, which have powerful applicability as active surfaces for the selective adsorption of proteins and as bioactive platforms. Among several factors which influence on the structure and properties of graft copolymers, one of the most important is the molecular weight of the PEG chains which provokes a considerably reduction in the backbone conjugation length. 4) Preparation and characterization of new bionanocomposites formed by PEDOT and CREKA, which is a biologically active linear pentapeptide. The incorporation of CREKA into a PEDOT matrix has been carried out under different experimental conditions and has shown a positive effect on the electrochemical properties of conducting polymer and indicating a favourable cellular proliferation due to the ability to bind fibrin. Some research findings provided in this Thesis have been published or accepted for publication in scientific journals: 1. An electroactive and biologically responsive hybrid conjugate based on chemical similarity. G. Fabregat, G. Ballano, E. Armelin, L. J. del Valle, C. Cativiela and C. Alemán, Polym. Chem., 2013, 4, 1412. 2.Hybrid materials consisting of an all-conjugated polythiophene backbone and grafted hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) chains. A.-D. Bendrea, G. Fabregat, L. Cianga, F. Estrany, L. J. del Valle, I. Cianga and C. Alemán, Polym. Chem., 2013,4, 2709. 3.Polythiophene-g-poly(ethylene glycol) graft copolymers for electroactive scaffolds.A.-D. Bendrea, G. Fabregat, J. Torras, S. Maione, L. Cianga, L. J. del Valle, I. Cianga and C. Alemán, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013,1, 4135. 4.Design of hybrid conjugates based on chemical similarity.G. Fabregat, G. Ballano, J. Casanovas, A. D. Laurent, E. Armelin, Luis J. del Valle, C. Cativiela, D. Jacquemin and C. Alemán, RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 21069. 5.Controlling the morphology of poly(N -cyanoethylpyrrole). G. Fabregat, M. T. Casas, C. Alemán and E. Armelin, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2012, 116, 5064. 7.Ultrathin Films of Polypyrrole Derivatives for Dopamine Detection. G. Fabregat, E. Córdova-Mateo, E. Armelin, O. Bertran and C. Alemán. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2011, 115,14933.8.Nanostructured conducting polymer for dopamine detection.M. Martí, G. Fabregat, F. Estrany, C. Alemán and E. Armelin, J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 10652.

This book presents synthesis methods, characterization techniques, properties and applications of hybrid conducting polymers. Special emphasis is given to the applications of hybrid conductive polymers, with chapters ranging from electronic devices, environmental remediation, and sensors, to medical applications.

This book presents a comprehensive survey about conducting polymers and their hybrids with different materials. It highlights the topics pertinent to research and development in academia and in the industry. The book thus discusses the preparation and characterization of these materials, as well as materials properties and their processing. The current challenges in the field are addressed, and an outline on new and even futuristic approaches is given. “Conducting Polymer Hybrids” is concerned with a fascinating class of materials with the promise for wide-ranging applications, including energy generation and storage, supercapacitors, electronics, display technologies, sensing, environmental and biomedical applications. The book covers a large variety of systems: one-, two-, and three-dimenstional composites and hybrids, mixed at micro- and nanolevel.

This book details the use of conducting polymers and their composites in supercapacitors, batteries, photovoltaics, and fuel cells, nearly covering the entire spectrum of energy area under one title. Conducting Polymers for Advanced Energy Applications covers a range of advanced materials based on conducting polymers, the fundamentals, and the chemistry behind these materials for energy applications. FEATURES Covers materials, chemistry, various synthesis approaches, and the properties of conducting polymers and their composites Discusses commercialization and markets and elaborates on advanced applications Presents an overview and the advantages of using conducting polymers and their composites for advanced energy applications Describes a variety of nanocomposites, including metal oxides, chalcogenides, graphene, and materials beyond graphene Offers the fundamentals of electrochemical behavior This book provides a new direction for scientists, researchers, and students in materials science and polymer chemistry who seek to better understand the chemistry behind conducting polymers and improve their performance for use in advanced energy applications.

A comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the latest research trends in conductive polymers and polymer hybrids, summarizing recent achievements. The book begins by introducing conductive polymer materials and their classification, while subsequent chapters discuss the various syntheses, resulting properties and up-scaling as well as the important applications in biomedical and biotechnological fields, including biosensors and biodevices. The whole is rounded off by a look at future technological advances. The result is a well-structured, essential reference for beginners as well as experienced researchers.

Conducting polymers are versatile materials that possess both the unique properties of polymeric materials (elastic behavior, reversible deformation, flexibility, etc.) and the ability to conduct electricity with bulk conductivities comparable to those of metals and semiconductors. Conducting Polymers: Chemistries, Properties and Biomedical Applications provides current, state-of-the-art knowledge of conducting polymers and their composites for biomedical applications. This book covers the fundamentals of conducting polymers, strategies to modify the structure of conducting polymers to make them biocompatible, and their applications in various biomedical areas such as drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, antimicrobial activities, biosensors, etc. FEATURES Covers the state-of-the-art progress on biodegradable conducting polymers for biomedical applications Presents synthesis, characterization, and applications of conducting polymers for various biomedical research Provides the fundamentals of biodegradation mechanisms and the role of conduction in biomedical devices Offers details of novel methods and advanced technologies used in biomedical applications using conducting polymers Highlights new directions for scientists, researchers, and students to better understand the chemistry, technologies, and applications of conducting polymers This book is essential reading for all academic and industrial researchers working in the fields of materials science, polymers, nanotechnology, and biomedical technology.

This book is intended to serve as a "one-stop" reference resource for important research accomplishments in the area of nanostructured polymer membranes and their processing and characterizations. It will be a very valuable reference source for university and college faculties, professionals, post-doctoral research fellows, senior graduate students, and researchers from R&D laboratories working in the area of polymer nanobased membranes. The various chapters are contributed by prominent researchers from industry, academia and government/private research laboratories across the globe and comprise an up-to-date record on the major findings and observations in the field.