Preparation and electrical conductivity of SiO2/polypyrrole nanocomposite

In the present study we have chemically polymerized silica/polypyrrole (SiO2/PPy) nanocomposite in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfate (SDBS) as dopant and iron chloride (FeCl3) as oxidant. The SiO2/PPy nanocomposite presents an electrical conductivity of 32.41 S cm(-1) and percolation threshold of 20 wt%. The resulting SiO2/PPy nanocomposites have been extensively characterized in terms of their molecular structure, particle size, morphology, stability, and electroactivity. These SiO2/PPy particles have a rather polydisperse morphology. The effects of synthesis parameters such as oxidant, PPy, SDBS, reaction temperature and time, on the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite have been detailedly optimized. And the conducting nanocomposite presented a good environmental stability.