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@article{WOS:001666014800001,
title = {Spontaneously N-Doped Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Coatings Accelerate
Electron Uptake in Shewanella Oneidensis},
author = {Zhongxin Chen and Yilu Song and Samantha R McCuskey and Jianan Cai and Weidong Zhang and Nansi Zhou and David Ohayon and Fernando Lopez-Garcia and Alexey I Berdyugin and Xianwen Mao and Guillermo C Bazan},
doi = {10.1002/adma.202521386},
times_cited = {0},
issn = {0935-9648},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-01},
journal = {ADVANCED MATERIALS},
volume = {38},
number = {12},
publisher = {WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH},
address = {POSTFACH 101161, 69451 WEINHEIM, GERMANY},
abstract = {Bioelectrochemical systems interconvert electrical and chemical energy
using living microorganisms, but their efficiency remains limited by
slow electron exchange across abiotic-biotic interfaces. Herein, a
spontaneous n-doped water-dispersible conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE),
PNB, is developed. The CPE self-assembles on the surface of Shewanella
oneidensis MR-1 to create biocompatible coatings that accelerate inward
extracellular electron transfer. PNB is obtained via an aldol
condensation reaction and is described by an acceptor-acceptor
pi-conjugated backbone bearing quaternary ammonium side chains. This
molecular architecture enables stable n-doping in aqueous media and a
broad reduction potential window. When integrated as a cathodic
interlayer, PNB-S. oneidensis biohybrids exhibit a 14-fold enhancement
in electron injection and a 4-fold increase in electro-driven succinate
production, compared to unmodified cells. Single-cell electrochemical
mapping confirms faster, more efficient per-cell electron influx. These
findings demonstrate that n-type CPEs can bridge external electrodes
with cellular metabolisms, opening a material-based route to
high-performance bioelectronic and electrosynthetic systems. By enabling
more facile charge transfer between synthetic semiconductors and living
catalysts, this work establishes a soft materials-driven framework for
designing electronically coupled microbial systems with potential to
advance sustainable bioelectronic technologies.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}