A robust, highly stretchable supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogel with self-healability and thermo-processability

Qian Wu,Bing Xu,Hongbo Wang,Wenguang Liu,Junjie Wei,Xinhua Liu,Qigang Wang,Wei Wang

doi:10.1038/srep41566

Qian Wu, Bing Xu + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41566

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Jan 30, 2017
Citations: 139	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Tianjin University, Tongji University

Abstract

Dual amide hydrogen bond crosslinked and strengthened high strength supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogels were fabricated by simply in situ doping poly (N-acryloyl glycinamide-co-2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic) (PNAGA-PAMPS) hydrogels with PEDOT/PSS. The nonswellable conductive hydrogels in PBS demonstrated high mechanical performances—0.22–0.58 MPa tensile strength, 1.02–7.62 MPa compressive strength, and 817–1709% breaking strain. The doping of PEDOT/PSS could significantly improve the specific conductivities of the hydrogels. Cyclic heating and cooling could lead to reversible sol-gel transition and self-healability due to the dynamic breakup and reconstruction of hydrogen bonds. The mending hydrogels recovered not only the mechanical properties, but also conductivities very well. These supramolecular conductive hydrogels could be designed into arbitrary shapes with 3D printing technique, and further, printable electrode can be obtained by blending activated charcoal powder with PNAGA-PAMPS/PEDOT/PSS hydrogel under melting state. The fabricated supercapacitor via the conducting hydrogel electrodes possessed high capacitive performances. These cytocompatible conductive hydrogels have a great potential to be used as electro-active and electrical biomaterials.

Highlights

Dual amide hydrogen bond crosslinked and strengthened high strength supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogels were fabricated by in situ doping poly (N-acryloyl glycinamide-co-2acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic) (PNAGA-PAMPS) hydrogels with PEDOT/PSS
In our previous work[22], we have demonstrated the hydrogen bonding crosslinks of dual amides in side chain could contribute to the gelation of concentrated aqueous solutions of poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA)
It is natural to think that copolymerization of NAGA with other hydrophilic monomer in aqueous solution may allow for facile preparation of high strength supramolecular copolymer hydrogels because of crosslinkage from PNAGA segments

Summary

Introduction

Dual amide hydrogen bond crosslinked and strengthened high strength supramolecular polymer conductive hydrogels were fabricated by in situ doping poly (N-acryloyl glycinamide-co-2acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic) (PNAGA-PAMPS) hydrogels with PEDOT/PSS. Double network conductive hydrogels are normally synthesized by oxidative polymerization of conductive monomers inside the double network gel matrices which are fabricated by introducing a second flexible network into the first rigid network[14,15,16]. These two types of conductive hydrogels are mechanically strong, their preparations involve relatively complicated processes[17]. Self-healed PNAGA hydrogels almost recover the initial mechanical strength due to the reversible breakup and reconstruction of hydrogen bonds under the condition of heating and cooling process. The thermoplasticity will be able to allow for very facile fabrication of multiform shapes and patterns by 3D printing through thermomelting extrusion

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