Synthesis and Characterization of Polypyrrole/ Praseodymium Calcium Manganite Oxide Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polypyrrole (PPy) has immensely attracted research workers because of its stable thermal and chemical properties, utilization as batteries, sensors, electronic conductors, optical switching devices, etc. The properties of PPy as conducting polymers may be improved by developing innovative methods. The nanoparticles may be incorporated inside the PPy which would increase the charge storage capacity comparatively. This paper reports the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid Polypyrrole (PPy) - Pr0.75Ca0.25MnO3 (PCMO) nanocomposites with various compositions viz., 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt.% via chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in presence of PCMO nanoparticles using ammonium persulphate as oxidant. All the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Frequency dependence of real dielectric constant (εl) and imaginary dielectric constant (εll) were studied using impedance analyzer. It was observed that dielectric constant εl decreased abruptly at lower frequencies and showed almost frequency independent behavior at higher frequency region. The imaginary dielectric constant (εll) was found to be less at higher frequencies than lower frequency region. The possible reasons for the variation in εl and εll with frequency will be discussed in this paper.