Mechanically strong conducting hydrogels with special double-network structure

Mechanically strong conducting hydrogels composed of poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) have been synthesized through the construction of a special double-network (sDN) structure. The novelty of the sDN hydrogels lies in the introduction of PEDOT-PSS semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel as the second network. Based on the experimental results and the double-network theory, an additional strengthening effect resulting from the formation of the PEDOT clusters in a three-step fracture process is proposed. The applicability of as-prepared PAAm/PEDOT-PSS sDN hydrogels in electromechanical actuators is also briefly discussed.