Fabrication and characterization of conducting nanomaterials composed of copper sulfide and polyindole

Conducting polymer nanocomposites of polyindole (PIN)/copper sulfide (CuS) were fabricated by in situ polymerization of indole with different concentration of CuS nanoparticles. These composites were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and electrical studies. XRD analysis confirmed that the composite began to crystallize by the incorporation of CuS nanoparticles. The IR spectrum shows the intermolecular interaction between PIN and CuS. SEM images revealed that the nanoparticles were uniformly embedded in the entire substrate. Glass transition temperature was found to be increased with increase in concentration of nanoparticles, which showed an ordered structure of the samples. TGA results indicated that the fabricated PIN/CuS composite attains better thermal stability than pure PIN. The dc conductivity of nanocomposite was significantly increased with increase in content of CuS nanoparticle. An increase in ac electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of the composite were observed with increase in molar concentration of CuS nanoparticles. Thus, enhancements in these properties suggest that the fabricated PIN/CuS nanocomposite has potential application in the field of nanotechnology. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. (C) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers