Conducting Hydrogels of Tetraaniline-g-poly(vinyl alcohol) in Situ Reinforced by Supramolecular Nanofibers

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.