Preparation of multifunctional hydrogels with pore channels using agarose sacrificial templates and its applications

Abstract

AbstractSmart hydrogel has been widely studied due to their unique response characteristics. Although many smart hydrogels have been developed, the preparation of high‐performance and multi‐responsive smart hydrogels remains a challenge. The application of developing new materials is also the valuable embodiment of materials, such as temperature sensors, thermal switches and anionic dye adsorption. In this study, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel with pore channels was prepared using agarose as a sacrificial template, and a polyaniline network structure was introduced into hydrogel pore channels to endow the hydrogels with stable conductivity. This point can be confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy images of hydrogels. The decomposition temperature of hydrogels characterized by thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal response analysis and electrical performance testing found that PNIPAM hydrogel with pore channels exhibited enhanced temperature‐responsive swelling‐shrinkage properties and high conductivity (1.83 S m−1). Based on this unique property, we demonstrated the application of materials in thermal switching (response temperature ~33°C) and can be potentially applied to the temperature sensor and anionic dye adsorption.