Preparation of polypyrrole coated cotton conductive fabrics

Abstract

Polypyrrole-coated cotton conductive fabrics were prepared by in situ polymerization. The influences of pyrrole dosage, mole ratio of pyrrole to iron (III) chloride, reaction temperature and reaction time on the conductivity of the polypyrrole-coated cotton conductive fabrics were analyzed. The best method for preparing the polypyrrole-coated cotton conductive fabrics was determined. The structures of the conductive cotton fabrics were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that when mo1e ratio of pyrrole to iron (III) chloride was 2:1, reaction at room temperature for 1 h with a bath ratio of 1:40, the conductivity of the prepared fabric was the best with a surface resistance of 0.15 kΩ/cm. The chemical structure and the surface morphological structures of the conductive cotton fabrics were different from that of the untreated cotton fabrics. By in situ polymerization, the fiber surfaces appeared homogeneously coated with a film of polypyrrole. Importantly, the process of pyrrole polymerization is very simple. This study offers a new simple way for preparing the polypyrrole-coated cotton conductive fabrics effectively.