Semiconducting Polymer Blend Films for Photosensitive Subretinal Prosthesis Design—Properties, Biocompatibility, and Impact of Light on Polymer–Cell Interactions

Abstract

This study examines polymer-based semiconducting materials as functional candidates for subretinal prosthetic interfaces designed to restore visual function in individuals affected by photoreceptor degeneration. Polymer blend thin films designed to couple high photosensitivity with efficient charge transport and favourable biological interactions were characterized in terms of their physicochemical and optoelectronic properties, stability under physiological conditions, and cytocompatibility with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Because retinal cells operate under variable illumination, light-dependent polymer–cell interactions were also analyzed using controlled day–night irradiation cycles. Finally, phase separation in ternary blends was investigated to determine whether spontaneous formation of light-sensitive domains could mimic the spatial organization of photoreceptors and support growth and physiological arrangement of RPE cells. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of designing multifunctional polymeric materials that integrate customized optoelectronic behavior with biologically relevant surface properties, thus establishing a foundational material framework for the development of next-generation organic subretinal prostheses.