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Electroconductive hydrogels are composed
of 3-dimensionally structured hydrogels and conducting molecules with
electrical, optical, and reversible redox properties. These hybrid materials
can be utilized as electrically-stimulated biomaterials in implantable
biosensors or drug delivery systems. In this study, carbon
nanotube-incorporated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels were synthesized
by an electroclick reaction, which was controlled by an electrochemically
generated Cu(I) catalyst. When the reduction potential of Cu(II) ions was
applied, PVA-based hydrogels were deposited onto indium-tin-oxide-coated glass
electrodes via Cu(I)-catalysed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (click reaction).
When the hydrogels contained carbon nanotubes, thicker films were deposited
because the embedded carbon nanotubes provided a larger electrochemical active
area. In addition, the carbon nanotubes improved the electrical conductivity of
the hydrogel systems. We investigated the electro-stimulated drug release
behaviour with electro-click conductive hydrogels using tetracycline as a model
drug.