3D nanostructured conductive polymer hydrogels for high-performance electrochemical devices

Conducting polymer hydrogels (CPHs) represent a unique class of materials that synergize the advantageous features of hydrogels and organic conductors and have been used in many applications such as bioelectronics and energy storage devices. This perspective provides a brief overview of current research activities in the field of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured CPHs for high-performance electrochemical devices. The synthesis methods of conventional conductive polymers (CPs) and hydrogels are outlined with emphasis on newly developed methods for the preparation of 3D nanostructured CPs and CPHs. Following this discussion is an outline of the applications of 3D CPH nanostructures with particular focus on those applications in which nanostructured CPHs are clearly advantageous over their conventional counterparts. Other potential applications of nanostructured CPHs are also discussed in this perspective along with the main challenges and future research directions for this new class of conductive hydrogels.