In this study, we optimized the dispersion of hydrophobic carbons within ionically conductive hydrogels composed of a poly (acrylamide)-pAAm/poly (N,N-methylenebisacrylamide)-pMBAA modified with Nafion 117 ®. The carbon-embedded hydrogel films were prepared by in situ UV polymerization of aqueous suspension containing KCl, acrylamide and N,Nmethylenebisacrylamide monomers, the multi-walled-carbon nanotubes, graphene, single-walled carbon nanohorns, and their composites with polypyrrole. These electrodes were translucent, stretchable, ionically and electronically conductive at low carbon content. In addition, they were very flexible, reaching a stretch up to 1475.57% of their initial length. Mechanical characteristics and conductivity were measured at their maximum hydration, corresponding to water uptake of 47.20% after 5 days of curing in humidity chamber. Hydrogels with dispersed carbon demonstrated both ionic and electronic conductivity in hydrated state and electronic conductivity alone when the electrode was dry. Nafion 117 ® acted as a surfactant and played a significant role in the improvement of carbon distribution within the hydrogel due to the hydrophobic-hydrophilic interaction between hydrogel, Nafion and the carbon. This was further correlated with changes in zeta potential at the carbon-hydrogel interface upon addition of Nafion, measured using a rotating disk electrode voltammetry.