Rochelle salt-based biodegradable piezoelectric devices for nerve regeneration and intestinal motility monitoring.

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials provide a unique platform for bioelectronic interfaces, enabling dynamic sensing and electroactive therapies through bidirectional transduction between biomechanical and bioelectrical signals. However, the development of bioresorbable piezoelectric materials that combine high functional performance with mechanical compliance remains a critical challenge for seamless integration with soft biological tissues, while eliminating the need for retrieval surgeries and long-term material retention. Here, we report a bioresorbable, flexible piezoelectric composite composed of Rochelle salt (RS) crystals embedded within poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibers. Fabricated via electrospinning and uniaxial compression, centimeter-scale biodegradable nanofiber films are achieved, exhibiting excellent effective piezoelectric coefficient of 43.1 pC N^-1 and piezoelectric voltage coefficient of 1909.2 mV m N^-1, surpassing the piezoelectric performance of previously reported biodegradable flexible materials. Ultrasound-driven scaffold devices derived from these bioresorbable piezoelectric materials markedly enhance sciatic nerve regeneration in rodents. Additionally, a biodegradable piezoelectric strain sensor enables wireless, real-time monitoring of intestinal motility, facilitating diagnosis of colonic dysfunction. Together, these findings establish a prominent materials paradigm for biodegradable piezoelectric electronics, offering a versatile platform for bioelectronic applications in regenerative medicine, neuromodulation, and physiological monitoring.