Synthesis and characterization of electrically conductive hydrogels from renewable resources

Hydrogels are polymer types with a network structure capable of absorbing water up to 3-4 times their capacity when placed in aqueous environments, owing to the presence of hydrophilic groups in their chemical structure. The use of a high amount of deionized water (d.H2O) as one of the solvents in hydrogel production finds applications in various fields, primarily in the healthcare sector. Issues such as population growth, industrialization, and waste management pose significant threats to the future of the world and its inhabitants.In this thesis, renewable resources were utilized for the synthesis of electrically conductive hydrogels. Crotonic Acid (CA) and Itaconic Acid (IA) were employed as renewable sources. The influence of K2CO3 and NaHCO3 salts on the electrical conductivity of hydrogels synthesized with CA and IA was investigated through AC and DC measurements. As a result, it was observed that the electrical conductivity in hydrogels prepared with NaCO3 was higher compared to those prepared with K2CO3. Additionally, the effect of crosslinker ratios on electrical conductivity was examined by using crosslinkers at 1% and 3% concentrations in the hydrogels. It was observed that the use of 3% crosslinker in hydrogels prepared with IA reduced conductivity.