Studies on Highly Conducting Polypyrrole/Fe3O4 Nanocomposites

Polypyrrole (PPy)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were in situ synthesized using chemical oxidative polymerization in an aqueous solution of FeCl(3 center dot)6H(2)O, in presence of different Fe3O4 loadings (0%-16.52%). These composites were characterized through a 4 Probe electrical conductivity measurement technique, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermo gravimetric analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Results showed maximum electrical conductivity of 75.28 S/cm for the 2.52% Fe3O4 loaded nanocomposite and with improved thermal stability compared with the host PPy. Furthermore, a linear relationship between saturated magnetization M-s and % composition of Fe3O4 in the above nanocomposites was observed, showing 6.34 emu/g at 16.52% Fe3O4/PPy nanocomposite. POLYM. COMPOS., 32: 1416-1422, 2011. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers