Synthesis and Properties of PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Based Nanocomposite Conducting Gels with Enhanced Mechanical Strength

Abstract

A nanocomposite conducting hydrogel, polyN-isopropylacrylamide/polyaniline/clay (abbreviated as PNIPA/PANI/clay), prepared through in-situ free radical aqueous polymerization and crosslinked by both clay, as a functional physical crosslinker, and N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a chemical crosslinker, is reported. The morphology of the gels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties and electrical conductivity were also studied. The results show that the prepared hydrogels had the expected chemical components, with a highly porous structure, and the gels also showed high mechanical strength.