Influence of clay modification process in polypyrrole-layered silicate nanocomposite

This work focuses mainly on the preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/organically modified clay nanocomposites. Organoclay/polypyrrole nanocomposites were prepared by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in aqueous medium using ferric chloride as the oxidant. Initially, cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide and tetrabutyl-ammonium hydrogen sulphate were used as organophilic to modify clay and form an organic clay. After that, polypyrrole/organically modified clay nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ polymerization process in which pyrrole was polymerized in the presence of different proportions of organic clay. The effects of the nature of the organic clays and the preparation method were studied in order to evaluate their structural, morphological and thermal properties. X-ray diffraction (SAXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, were used to define the characteristics of the materials obtained. The obtained results confirm the intercalation of molecules of salt in the clay layers, and good interaction with the polymer. Thermogravimetric analysis showed better thermal stability of nanocomposites compared to pure polypyrrole. The conductivity behaviour of nanocomposites was also examined.