Synthesis of polypyrrole/polythiophene copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

Synthesis and processing of polymer-based materials through green friendly methods involving supercritical fluids particularly supercritical carbon dioxide (SCC) has recently received substantial technological importance because of the commercial and industrial benefits involved. In the present work, a SCC assisted green and sustainable process has been developed to synthesize polypyrrole/polythiophene copolymers (PPCs). The process of synthesis has been conducted through ferric chloride-initiated chemical oxidative polymerization in the presence of various molar proportions of pyrrole to thiophene 0:1.0, 1.0:0, 1.0:1.0 and 1.0:2.0 at temperature ranging from 50 to 90 °C, 1,200 psi over 12 h in SCC. Polymerization below 90 °C afforded PPCs in semi-solid products, whereas polymerizations conducted at 90 °C under identical conditions have afforded the end products in complete solid state. The structure and properties of PPCs have been evaluated through ultraviolet–visible absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectra, elemental analysis, atomic force microscopy, simultaneous thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis–differential thermogravimetry and four-point probe electrical conductivity methods. With molar proportion of thiophene, time and temperature, all the polymerization reactions have been conducted to completion resulting in PPCs with enhanced polymerization yield, rheoviscosity, dispersion of polypyrrole into polythiophene matrix and thermal stability. This has contributed a simultaneous loss in the electrical conductivity of PPCs.