Hydrogels, known for their 3D crosslinked networks that retain significant water, have garnered substantial attention due to their potential in various biomedical fields including tissue engineering, wound dressings, and wearable electronics. To enhance the functionality of hydrogels with both robust mechanical property and excellent conductivity, this work investigates the development of novel conductive hydrogels composed of sodium alginate (SA), polyacrylamide (PAM), and polypyrrole (Ppy). The developed hydrogels are promising for at biomedical applications such as biosensors and drug delivery. The primary focus of this study is to enhance the mechanical robustness and electrical conductivity of these hydrogels to suit potential applications in non-invasive biosensing devices for continuous health monitoring.

The work explores the synergistic effects of integrating conductive polymers and double-network structures, where SA and PAM create a robust matrix through chemical and physical crosslinks, CaCl2 (Ca2+) creates ionic bonds with SA. The Ppy is also incorporated for its conductivity and biocompatibility. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed successful synthesis with key functional groups indicating robust formation. Mechanical testing across weight ratios of 1:10, 1:15, and 1:20 for SA-PAM with CaCl2 concentrations of 5wt%, 10wt%, and 20wt% demonstrated the optimal mechanical strength at a 1:10 (weight) ratio with 10wt% CaCl2 with modulus of 385 KPa and peak stress of 61.5 KPa. Similarly, conductivity tests revealed peak conductivity levels of 0.2847 S/cm for positive currents and 0.2748 S/cm for negative currents at the same hydrogel composition (1:10 PAM-SA, 10wt% CaCl2), suggesting excellent potential for biosensor devices designed for continuous health monitoring. The integration of Ppy not only enhanced the conductivity but also contributed to the hydrogels’ biocompatibility and mechanical resilience, making them promising candidates for next-generation medical devices. In addition, rheological studies affirmed the structural integrity under dynamic stresses, indicating the hydrogels’ potential in various biomedical fields including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wearable electronics. Enhanced crosslinking within the hydrogel matrix ensures improved mechanical properties, enabling broader applications in medical diagnostics and therapeutics, and paving the way for more effective and adaptable hydrogel-based systems in the medical field.