Development of an Asymmetric Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Ultrathin Graphene Oxide Membrane as Actuator and Conformable Patch for Heart Repair

A conductive engineered cardiac patch (ECP) can reconstruct the biomimetic regenerative microenvironment of an infarcted myocardium. Direct ink writing (DIW) and 3D printing produce ECP with precisely controlled microarchitectures. However, developing a printed high conductivity flexibility for gapless attachment to conform epicardial geometry remains challenge. Herein, asymmetrical DIW hydrophobic/hydrophilic membrane using heat-processed graphene oxide (GO) is developed. The “Masked spin coating” method also developed that leads microscale GO (hydrophilic)/reduced (rGO, hydrophobic) physiological sensor, as well macroscale moisture-driven GO/rGO actuator. Depositing mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) coating on one side rGO , ultrathin (approximately 500 nm) PDA-rGO (hydrophilic)/rGO (hydrophobic) microlattice (DrGOM) bestowed moisture-responsive actuation allows curved surface epicardium. Conformable DrGOM exhibits promising therapeutic effect rats' hearts through reconstruction improved neovascularization.