Synthesis and characterization of conductive polypyrrole - fibrils, composites, films, and powders

Abstract

Template-synthesis, interfacial polymerization, Nafion-modified polymerization, and conventionally electrochemical and chemical methods were used to synthesize polypyrrole (PPy) fibrils, composites, films, and powders. The PPys obtained by these methods were characterized by spectroscopic and physical techniques. A variety of spectroscopic techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and 13C solid state NMR were used to study the chemical structure of the polymer obtained under different synthesis conditions. Physical techniques include the measurements of conductivity and densities of the polymer. Particularly important achievements in this study include the development of new methods for synthesis of PPy fibrils and composites, the novelty in experimental design for studying the properties of pristine PPy films, and detailed characterization of PPy fibrils, films, and powders.