Interfacial synthesis of polypyrrole/graphene composites and investigation of their optical, electrical and electrochemical properties

We report the development of a novel route for the synthesis of polypyrrole/graphene (PPy/GR) composites by liquid - liquid interfacial polymerization, where GR and the initiator were dispersed in the aqueous phase and the monomer was dissolved in the organic phase. The synthesized samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, electrochemical and electrical conductivity measurements. Structural analysis reveals a uniform dispersion of GR sheets in the PPy matrix. The composites showed noticeable improvement in thermal stability and electrical conductivity (8.45 S cm(-1)) and excellent electrochemical reversibility in comparison with pure PPy. A specific capacitance of 260 F g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) was achieved for the composite during the charge-discharge process. (C) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry