A robust, highly stretchable supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogel with self-healability and
Qian Wu1, Junjie Wei2, Bing Xu1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
Scientific Reports
|January 31, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed strong, self-healing conductive hydrogels using dual amide hydrogen bonds. These advanced supramolecular polymer materials exhibit excellent mechanical strength, conductivity, and potential for 3D-printed electrodes and biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Developing advanced conductive hydrogels with high mechanical strength and self-healing properties is crucial for next-generation electronic devices and biomedical applications.
- Existing conductive hydrogels often face limitations in mechanical robustness, conductivity, and processability.
- Supramolecular polymers offer unique dynamic properties that can be leveraged for enhanced material performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate dual amide hydrogen bond crosslinked supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties and self-healability.
- To investigate the effect of PEDOT/PSS doping on the conductivity and mechanical performance of the hydrogels.
- To explore the potential of these hydrogels as printable electrodes for energy storage devices and as electro-active biomaterials.
Main Methods:
- In situ doping of poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide-co-2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic) (PNAGA-PAMPS) hydrogels with PEDOT/PSS.
- Characterization of mechanical properties (tensile strength, compressive strength, breaking strain) and specific conductivities.
- Evaluation of self-healing capabilities through cyclic heating/cooling and assessment of property recovery.
- 3D printing of hydrogel constructs and fabrication of printable electrodes by blending with activated charcoal powder.
- Fabrication and testing of supercapacitors using the developed hydrogel electrodes.
Main Results:
- Nonswellable conductive hydrogels with high mechanical performance were successfully fabricated (tensile strength: 0.22–0.58 MPa, compressive strength: 1.02–7.62 MPa, breaking strain: 817–1709%).
- PEDOT/PSS doping significantly improved the specific conductivities of the hydrogels.
- Reversible sol-gel transition and self-healability were achieved through dynamic hydrogen bond interactions, with excellent recovery of mechanical properties and conductivity after healing.
- Arbitrary shapes were achieved via 3D printing, and printable electrodes were successfully fabricated.
- Supercapacitors fabricated with these hydrogel electrodes demonstrated high capacitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Dual amide hydrogen bond crosslinked supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogels exhibit superior mechanical strength, conductivity, and self-healing abilities.
- The developed hydrogels are highly versatile, enabling 3D printing for complex structures and fabrication of printable electrodes.
- These cytocompatible conductive hydrogels hold significant promise for applications as electro-active and electrical biomaterials, particularly in energy storage and biomedical devices.
