Preparation of a novel polyacrylamide/carbon fiber/graphite conducting hydrogel

Polyacrylamide/carbon fiber/graphite superabsorbent composite was synthesized by an aqueous solution polymerization with N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide as crosslinker,K2S2O8 as initiator,acrylamide as monomer,carbon fiber and graphite as functional fillers.While absorbing water,a novel conducting hydrogel was formed.The influences of crosslinker,initiator,monomer concentration,reaction temperature,water absorbency and conducting fillers on conductivity of the hydrogel were investigated.The results showed that the crosslinker of 0.06wt%,initiator of 1.0wt%,monomer concentration of 50wt% and reaction temperature of 80℃ were the best preparation conditions when carbon fiber and graphite amount was 35wt%,the highest conductivity of hydrogel reached 4.32mS/cm.The model of conduction structure was proposed.SEM and FTIR were used to characterize the structure and constitutes of the composite.