Synthesis, Electrical Properties and Stability of Polypyrrole-Containing Conducting Polymer Composites

Abstract

Conducting polymer composites of polyethylene and polypyrrole (PE/PPy), polypropylene and polypyrrole (PP/PPy) and poly(methyl methacrylate) and polypyrrole (PPMA/PPy) were prepared by means of a chemical modification method resulting in a network-like structure of polypyrrole embedded in the insulating polymer matrix. The content of polypyrrole determined by elemental analysis varied from 0·25 to 17wt%. Electrical conductivity of compression-moulded samples depended on the concentration of polypyrrole and reached values from 1×10-11 to 1 S cm-1. The morphology of the composites and blends was studied by low-voltage scanning electron microscopy. The stability of PP/PPy composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and by conductivity measurements during heating–cooling cycles. There was only a small drop in conductivity caused by the annealing of PP/PPy composites in air at temperatures up to 80°C. The results of thermogravimetric analysis showed a stabilizing effect of PPy on PMMA/PPy composites against thermal degradation. The antistatic properties of PMMA/PPy composites were demonstrated. © 1997 SCI.