Preparation and characterization of electrospun polyurethane-polypyrrole nanofibers and films

Polyurethane (PU)polypyrrole (PPy) composite films and nanofibers were successfully prepared for the purpose of combining the properties of PU and PPy. Pyrrole (Py) monomer was polymerized and dispersed uniformly throughout the PU matrix by means of oxidative polymerization with cerium(IV) [ceric ammonium nitrate Ce(IV)] in dimethylformamide. Films and nanofibers were prepared with this solution. The effects of the PPy content on the thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and morphological properties of the composites were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy, dielectric spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The Young's modulus and glass-transition temperatures of the composites exhibited an increasing trend with increases in the initially added amount of Py. The electrical conductivities of the composite films and nanofibers increased. The crystallinity of the composites were followed with DSC, the mechanical properties were followed with DMA, and the spectroscopic results were followed with FTIRATR spectroscopy. In the composite films, a new absorption band located at about 1650 cm-1 appeared, and its intensity improved with the addition of Py. The studied composites show potential for promising applications in advanced electronic devices. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012