Highly Conducting Polypyrrole/Cellulose Nanocomposite Films with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Abstract PPy was synthesised by oxidative chemical polymerisation using xylan, CMC and NFC as additives. Conducting nanocomposite films were cast from aqueous slurries using doped PPy particles, CMC and NFC as the conducting and reinforcing phase, respectively. NFC‐based composites had higher conductivity and lower mechanical properties than CMC‐based homologues. SEM analysis showed that in PPy/NFC composites, PPy and NFC were arranged in two entangled networks, whereas, in PPy/NFC composites, CMC formed a continuous matrix around PPy particles, thus limiting conductivity. Mechanical properties of nanocomposite films were interpreted as reflecting the presence of different structures when using NFC or CMC as reinforcing phase. magnified image