Rheological behavior and electrical properties of polypyrrole/thermally reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Polypyrrole/thermally reduced graphene oxide (Ppy/TRGO) nanocomposites were synthesized via an in situ polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of TRGO in various proportions (1-5%). The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by various techniques. SEM analysis clearly indicated the complete dispersion of TRGO in the Ppy matrix. The nanocomposite exhibited obvious improvement in the thermal stability and electrical conductivity in comparison with the pure Ppy. The aim of this study was to determine the rheological behavior of Ppy/TRGO nanocomposite at different mass ratio (100:1,100:3 and 100:5%) and temperature (25-180 degrees C) by using a rotational mode in cone-plate method. The nanocomposite was found to exhibit a non-Newtonian and shear thinning behavior at both lower and higher temperature. The rheological results showed that the Ppy/TRGO nanocomposites are stabile, and does not deform at high shear rate and temperature. The shear stress (tau, Pa) and viscosity (eta, Pa s) of the nanocomposites were increased with the addition of TRGO sheet into the Ppy. It was noted that TRGO sheets are effective material for the reinforcement of Ppy and the nanocomposite exhibit high flexibility compared with rigid pure Ppy. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.