Graphene oxide/conducting polymer composite hydrogels

Graphene oxide/conducting polymer (GO/CP) composite hydrogels were prepared by in situ chemical polymerization of corresponding aromatic monomers in aqueous dispersions of GO sheets. GO/polypyrrole (PPy), GO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and GO/polyaniline (PANi) hydrogels were obtained by this technique, and the mechanism of gelation was discussed. Among them, GO/PPy composite hydrogels were tested to have low critical hydrogel concentrations (<1%, by weight), high storage moduli (>10 kPa) and electrical conductivity, and strong electrochemical activity. A gas sensor based on a typical GO/PPy hydrogel showed high sensitivity towards ammonia gas.