Synthesis and characterization of Ag/polypyrrole nanocomposites based on silver nanoparticles colloid

Ag/polypyrrole nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via in situ chemical oxidation polymerization of pyrrole based on mercaptocarboxylic acid capped Ag nanoparticles colloid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurement showed that the obtained Ag/polypyrrole nanocomposites were spherical. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement showed that the Ag nanoparticles were inside the polypyrrole particles and had a little aggregation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were used to characterize the structure of the obtained Ag/ polypyrrole nanocomposites. A possible formation mechanism of the Ag/polyrrole nanocomposites was also proposed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.