Synthesis and Property of Polypyrrole/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

摘要

Electrically semiconducting polypyrrole/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PPy/MWNTs) composites were prepared by in-situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of MWNTs in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂). Prior to the polymerization, MWNTs were surface modified with silane coupling agent 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate in order to be dispersed well in scCO₂. TEM and FESEM analysis showed that a tubular layer of PPy film is coated on the MWNTs surfaces, which were a few nanometers in thickness. The incorporation of MWNTs in the composite was endorsed by FT-IR. The composites were also confirmed by XRD and XPS. The composites synthesized in scCO₂ were shown to possess higher thermal stability and electrical conductivity than PPy. Additionally, the dispersibility of the composite in ethanol was also demonstrated.