Cytocompatible electrically conducting hydrogels based on amphoteric carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)
and aniline oligomers with bioactive molecule delivery properties were presented. A series of conductive
CMCS hydrogels with different aniline pentamer (AP) content were synthesized by a one-pot reaction
with the combination of grafting and crosslinking reaction via glutaraldehyde. The conductivities of
the swollen hydrogels are between 1.14 104 and 4.23 104 S/cm by tuning the AP content. Swelling
ratio was controlled by the AP content and crosslinking degree of the hydrogels. The hydrogels showed
absorption capacity of diclofenac sodium (DCS) as a model molecule and released DCS in a controlled
manner. Morphologies and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were characterized by SEM and rheometer,
respectively. The biocompatibility of the hydrogels was confirmed by C2C12 myoblast cells using
Live/Dead assay and Alamar blue assay. These conducting hydrogels with controlled release capacity as
bioactive scaffolds have potential application for tissue regeneration.