Insertion of polypyrrole chains into montmorillonite galleries by a solvent-free mechanochemical route

Non-ionic pyrrole was directly intercalated into unmodified montmorillonite (MMT) and organically modified MMT galleries by adsorption, and subsequently polymerized within the interlamellar spaces by a mechanochemical route under solvent-free conditions. XRD analysis revealed the successful intercalation of pyrrole into unmodified MMT and organically modified MMT clay galleries by mechanochemical grinding. After in situ polymerization, the XRD and FT-IR analyses confirmed the insertion of polypyrrole chains between both MMT galleries.