Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (ePTFE/PHB) triboelectric nanogenerators and their potential applications as self-powered and sensing vascular grafts

Being able to detect or monitor the onset of thrombosis, recurrent stenosis, or other vascular disorders in newly transplanted vascular grafts will be very beneficial for patients who received the artificial blood vessel through bypass surgeries. The inherent advantages of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) in self-powered signal monitoring presents a feasible solution. In this study, a double-layer TENG intended for self-powered and real-time sensing of vascular graft applications was constructed using two biocompatible materials commonly used in tissue engineering. In particular, an electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) membrane as a positive tribomaterial was combined with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane, a strong negative tribomaterial, to construct an ePTFE/PHB TENG. While possessing power generation, charging capacities, and operation stability, the ePTFE/PHB TENG was capable of supporting the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and monitoring changing hemodynamic conditions. Although many challenges remain and necessary future developments are needed, this study demonstrated the feasibility of a self-powered and sensing TENG vascular graft.