Preparation and characterisation of processable conducting polymer-hydrogel composites

In this work conducting polymer/hydrogel composites have been prepared by b lending conducting polymer colloids with processable gels. In one case a so luble hydrogel was used and the other a thermally formed gel was employed. The composites formed were electroactive and electronic conductivities of t he order of 10(-5)S cm(-1) could be obtained. The presence of the colloids affected the dehydration/rehydration behaviour of the gels and decreased th e capacity for water absorption. These composites should find application i n areas such as controlled release devices or artificial muscles, systems t hat require polymer structures that can be electrically stimulated. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.