Strong, self-healing, shape memory PAA-PANI/PVA/PDA/AOP conductive hydrogels with interpenetrating network and hydrogen bond interaction

Abstract

Conductive hydrogels have attracted much attention in soft electronic devices. However, it is still a challenging to be integrated with outstanding mechanical performance, self-healing, shape memory and conductive capability. Herein, we developed a multifunctional conductive hydrogel via interpenetrating network (IPN) and multiple hydrogen bond interaction. Poly (acrylic acid)-polyaniline (PAA-PANI) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) form bones of IPN through chemical and physical double cross-linking. Chemically crosslinking of IPN was obtained by in situ polymerization of acrylic acid and aniline. Physical crosslinking is realized by more multiple hydrogen bonds (N–H···O, O–H···O, O–H···N, N–H···N) interaction among PVA, polydopamine and PF127 diamino oxygen derivatives. PANI forms a conductive path in the IPN to ensure its conductivity. IPN hydrogels with multiple hydrogen bonds has excellent mechanical strength, which is much higher than conventional conductive hydrogels. Moreover, the structure endowed the hydrogel low swelling property, good self-healing and thermal-responsive shape memory effect. The multifunctional IPN conductive hydrogel have potential applications in smart devices including self-healing electronic devices, soft robot, and sensors.