Influence of Dopant Ions on the Properties of Conducting Polyacrylamide/Polyaniline Hydrogels

Polyaniline-impregnated polyacrylamide conducting hydrogels have been synthesized chemically via interfacial polymerization route using different acidic doping agents like sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and perchloric acid (HClO4). The best properties were found in case of H2SO4-doped polyacrylamide/polyaniline sample when compared with other doping agents. The resulting hydrogel exhibits superior properties including compact structure, high crystallinity, good mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity. The maximum electrical conductivity of the order of 9.4 × 10−5 S/cm was found in case of H2SO4 doped polyacrylamide/polyaniline.