Preparation and characterisation of processable conducting polymer-hydrogel composites

In this work conducting polymer/hydrogel composites have been prepared by blending conducting polymer colloids with processable gels. In one case a soluble hydrogel was used and the other a thermally formed gel was employed. The composites formed were electroactive and electronic conductivities of the 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 the capacity for water absorption. These composites should find application in areas such as controlled release devices or artificial muscles, systems that require polymer structures that can be electrically stimulated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.