Conducting Hydrogels of Tetraaniline-g-poly(vinyl
alcohol) in Situ Reinforced by Supramolecular Nanofibers
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Abstract
Novel conducting hydrogels (PVA-TA)
with dual network structures were synthesized by the grafting reaction
of tetraaniline (TA) into the main chains of poly(vinyl alcohol) and
in situ reinforced by self-assembly of a sorbitol derivative as the
gelator. The chemical structure of the PVA-TA hydrogels was characterized
by using FT-IR and NMR. The mechanical strength of the PVA-TA hydrogels
was strongly improved due to the presence of supramolecular nanofibers.
For instance, the compressive and tensile strengths of supramolecular
nanofiber-reinforced hydrogels were, respectively, 10 times and 5
times higher than those of PVA-TA hydrogels. Their storage modulus
(G′) and loss modulus (G″) were 5 times and 21 times
higher than those of PVA-TA hydrogels, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry
and conductivity measurements indicated that the electroactivity of
reinforced hydrogels is not influenced by the presence of supramolecular
nanofibers