Characterization and Physical Properties Investigation of Conducting Polypyrrole/TiO2 Nanocomposites Prepared Through a One-Step "In Situ" Polymerization Method

Nowadays, nanocomposites are a special class of materials having unique physical properties and wide application potential in diverse areas. The present research work describes an efficient method for synthesis of a series of polypyrrole/titanium dioxide (PPy/TiO2) nanocomposites with different TiO2 ratios. These nanocomposites were prepared by one-step in situ deposition oxidative polymerization of pyrrole hydrochloride using ferric chloride (FeCl3) as an oxidant in the presence of ultra fine grade powder of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles cooled in an ice bath. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The obtained results showed that TiO2 nanoparticles have been encapsulated by PPy with a strong effect on the morphology of PPy/TiO2 nanocomposites. Also, the synthesized PPy/TiO2 nanocomposites had higher thermal stability than that of pure PPy. The investigation of electrical conductivity of nanocomposites by four-point probe instrument showed that the conductivity of nanocomposite at low TiO2 content is much higher than of neat PPy, while with the increasing contents of TiO2, the conductivity decreases. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 1922-1927, 2012