Electrochemical and mechanical properties of hydrogels based on conductive poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) and PAAm

This paper reports on the effects of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) entangled in the polyacrylamide (PAAm) network by the formation of a semi-IPN on hydrogel performance. Hydrogel properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, water uptake, compressive load tests, ionic conductance and capacitance measurements. It has been found that the introduction of PEDOT/PSS leads to changes in the hydrogel morphology as compared to that of PAAm hydrogels. In addition, PAAm networks with good mechanical properties have been obtained. The presence of PEDOT/PSS increased the ionic conductance of swollen semi-IPN hydrogels substantially. Electrochemical experiments demonstrated that PAAm-PEDOT/PSS hydrogel is electrochemically stable and presents reversible responses to electrochemical stimuli.