The synthesis and electrical conductivity of a polyacrylamide/Cu conducting hydrogel

A polyacrylamide/Cu superabsorbent composite was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization. Based on the electrical conductivity of Cu and the water absorbency of polyacrylamide, a novel conducting hydrogel with a conductivity of 1.08 mS m−1 was prepared. The effect of crosslinker, initiator, monomer, neutralization degree, Cu amount, water absorbency and reaction temperature on the electrical conductivity of the hydrogel was investigated. An appended network structure model of the polyacrylamide/Cu conducting hydrogel is proposed.