Synthesis and characterization of hybrid nanocomposites of polypyrrole filled with iron oxide nanoparticles

Hybrid polypyrrole (PPy)/alpha-Fe2O3 nanocomposite films were fabricated by spin coating on a glass substrate. X-Ray diffraction analysis revealed the crystalline structure of alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructures and the nanocomposites. The broad PPy peak weakened in intensity as the alpha-Fe2O3 content increased in PPy/alpha-Fe2O3 nanocomposites. Characteristic Fourier-transform IR peaks for pure PPy shifted to higher wavenumbers on addition of alpha-Fe2O3 to PPy/alpha-Fe(2)o(3) nanocomposites. This can be attributed to better conjugation and interactions between PPy and alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy images of the nanocomposites reveal a uniform distribution of alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the PPy matrix. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy revealed a blue shift from lambda(max)= 441 nm for PPy to lambda(max)= 392 nm for PPy/alpha-Fe2O3, reflecting strong interactions between PPy and alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The room-temperature dc electrical conductivity increased from 433 x 10(-9) to 1.81 x 10(-8) S/cm as the alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticle content increased from 10 to 50 wt.% in PPY/alpha-Fe2O3 nanocomposites. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.