Phase change induced by polypyrrole in iron-oxide polypyrrole nanocomposite

Nanocomposites of polypyrrole and iron oxide were prepared using simultaneous gelation and polymerization processes. Varied amounts of pyrrole monomer were added to a solution containing iron nitrate as precursor and 2-methoxy ethanol as solvent. The presence of oxide and polypyrrole was confirmed by using X-ray and FTIR techniques. Some of these nanocomposites exhibited magnetic behaviour. SEM studies of powders indicated presence of nanosized particles. Electrical conductivity studies of powders showed a slight variation in conductivity for lower concentration of pyrrole, with a sudden increase in conductivity at 15% or pyrrole concentration. A transition from a nonmagnetic to magnetic phase was also observed at the same concentration.