Abstract
Electrically conductive materials that are fabricated based on natural polymers have seen significant interest in numerous applications, especially when advanced properties such as self-healing are introduced. In this article review, the hydrogels that are based on natural polymers containing electrically conductive medium were covered, while both irreversible and reversible cross-links are presented. Among the conductive media, a special focus was put on conductive polymers, such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyacetylene, and polythiophenes, which can be potentially synthesized from renewable resources. Preparation methods of the conductive irreversible hydrogels that are based on these conductive polymers were reported observing their electrical conductivity values by Siemens per centimeter (S/cm). Additionally, the self-healing systems that were already applied or applicable in electrically conductive hydrogels that are based on natural polymers were presented and classified based on non-covalent or covalent cross-links. The real-time healing, mechanical stability, and electrically conductive values were highlighted.
Highlights
Academic Editor: Iolanda FrancoliniNatural polymers are often made of polysaccharides and proteins [1] with a huge variety in chemical structures, physical, and biological properties
It should be pointed out here that a special precaution that is taken during the acetylene gas polymerization [125] makes the fabrication of electrically conductive hydrogel that is based on PA very difficult and, to our best knowledge, there are no data on the fabrication of the conductive hydrogel that is based on PA and natural polymers up-to-date
Increasing the surface area of the main components of conductive substrates showed a significant increase in the electrochemical performance of such substrates
Summary
Natural polymers are often made of polysaccharides and proteins [1] with a huge variety in chemical structures, physical, and biological properties. Hydrogels can absorb water up to as much as 1000 times of its dry weight owing to the hydrophilic functional groups in the polymer, but do not dissolve owing to the cross-links between the polymer chains [18] Synthetic polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) [19], poly(ethylene oxide) [20], poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(acrylamide) [21] can form hydrogels as well with higher mechanical strength than that of natural polymers. A conductive self-healing hydrogel has been used as a binder in a silicon-based anode in lithium-ion batteries Such a new matrix showed a great potential to maintain the mechanical integrity of the silicon anodes during the frequent charge-discharge cycle compared to regular binding agents [49]. The review of all the so far reported self-healing electrically conductive hydrogels that are based on natural polymers will be provided. The real-time healing, healing conditions, mechanical stability, and electrical conductivity values were highlighted
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