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SAXS study of electric field-induced microstructural evolution in a polyaniline-based conductive hydrogel
Liu Tang1, Yining Sun1, Robert F Schmidt1
1Stranski-Laboratorium für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, D-10623 Berlin, Germany. tangliu.tub@gmail.com.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 8, 2026
Summary
This study reveals how electric fields alter conductive hydrogel structure. Applied voltage causes polymer chain aggregation, transforming the network and accelerating degradation, impacting drug release applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Conductive polymer networks are crucial for electro-driven drug release in hydrogels.
- Understanding structural changes under electric fields is key to optimizing hydrogel performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural evolution of a novel quaternized chitosan-polyaniline (QCSPA) hydrogel under varying electric fields.
- To quantitatively characterize the multiscale structure using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a novel conductive hydrogel (QCSPA/PVA/BA).
- Application of varying electric fields (0 V, 3 V, 5 V).
- Quantitative structural analysis using SAXS with correlation length model and Gaussian spherical domain (GSD) fitting.
Main Results:
- Under swelling, hydrogel chains expanded, maintaining a surface fractal structure.
- Electric fields induced chain aggregation and domain contraction/expansion, shifting towards surface fractal behavior.
- Higher electric fields (5 V) led to denser domains, reduced correlation length, accelerated degradation, and decreased mechanical strength.
Conclusions:
- Electric field stimulation transforms the hydrogel network from a disordered to an ordered, denser multiscale structure.
- This transformation is linked to accelerated degradation and reduced mechanical properties.
- Findings provide insights into controlling conductive hydrogel behavior for drug delivery applications.
