Polypyrrole

Polymerization

Composite number

Engineering

Polymer chemistry

Conductive polymer

Metallurgy

Materials science

Cellulose

Chemical engineering

Swelling

Polymer

Self-healing hydrogels

Biocompatibility

Composite material

Monomer

Electrical conductor

Carbohydrate Polymers

A combination of conductive polymer with natural biomass is an ideal alternative to the classical conductive materials. In this study, PPy/SA/TOMFC composite hydrogels were fabricated by incorporation of TEMPO-oxidized microfibrillated cellulose (TOMFC) into the alginate-based matrix along with the in situ polymerization of pyrrole monomer. It was found that the mechanical and conductive properties of the composite hydrogels were associated with the concentration of TOMFC, which facilitated the formation of more compact 3D network structures and the growing of PPy conductive network. The mechanical properties of the synthesized hydrogels were significantly enhanced by incorporation of higher amount of TOMFC. In addition, with the introduction of 5.0 wt% TOMFC, the electrical conductivity of composite hydrogels could be ten times higher than that of PPy/SA hydrogels. Moreover, the obtained PPy/SA/TOMFC hydrogels exhibited tunable swelling properties and good biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for the use as biomaterial.

Microfibrillated cellulose enhancement to mechanical and conductive properties of biocompatible hydrogels