Conductive gels are a class of soft materials that combine conductivity and gel properties. They are composed of a hydrophilic polymer network and a conductive medium (such as ions, conductive polymers, or nanomaterials). They are characterized by good flexibility, stretchability, and high biocompatibility, and can conduct ionic or electronic signals.
These materials typically use hydrogels as a matrix and achieve their electrical functions by introducing conductive components. They are widely used in bioelectrodes, sensors, flexible electronic devices, and medical testing. Based on different conductivity mechanisms, they can be classified as:
Ionic Conductive Gels: These rely on mobile ions (such as Na⁺, Cl⁻) in the gel for conductivity. They are commonly found in hydrogel systems containing salt solutions or ionic liquids.
Electronic Conductive Gels: These achieve electronic conduction by incorporating conductive polymers (such as polyaniline, polypyrrole) or carbon-based nanomaterials (such as graphene, carbon nanotubes).