Synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole/graphite composites and study of their electrical and electrochemical properties

A series of conducting polymer composites of polypyrrole/graphite (PPy/G) were prepared by the incorporation of graphite in various proportions (0.25%, 0.50% and 1.0%) into polypyrrole through in situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole. Polymer composites were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, four probe method, I-V characteristics and cyclic voltammetry (CV). FTIR spectroscopy revealed the interaction between graphite and polypyrrole. PPy/G composites showed crystalline nature with hexagonal structure. The uniform distribution of graphite particles was observed within the polymer matrix. Direct current electrical conductivity values of all the samples have been measured; the effect of higher temperature on DC conductivity of the samples has also been studied and relevant results are analyzed and reported. The PPy/G composites displayed reversible electrochemical response as revealed by cyclic voltammetry study. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.