Polypyrrole/poly(acrylonitrile-co-butyl acrylate) composite

Poly(acrylonitrile-co-butyl acrylate) [P(AN-co-BuA)] was synthesized from acrylonitrile (AN) 95% and butyl acrylate (BuA) 5% - molar ratios - by free-radical polymerization in aqueous media, using ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator. Pyrrole was oxidatively polymerized in dimethylformamide in the presence of P(AN-co-BuA) matrix to produce polypyrrole (PPy) composites. Composite thin films were produced by solution casting onto smooth glass surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance analysis of thin films revealed the presence of PPy in the composite structure. Electrical impedance measurements were conducted to reveal the electrical conductivity change due to increasing PPy content. Enhancing the flexibility of PPy structures, as a composite film composed of PPy, could find substantial utility in the application of PPy products. BuA in a copolymer structure with AN improved the mechanical properties of the resulting copolymer by compensating the mechanical disadvantages of PPy. The butylacrylate containing matrix provided better electrical conductivity and stability than polyacrylonitrile, and the presence of butylacrylate enhanced the electrostatic interaction with PPy.