Fabrication of carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole/carbon nanotubes/melamine foam for supercapacitor

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been loaded on the melamine foam (MF) to form the composite (CNTs/MF) by dip‐dry process, then polypyrrole (PPy) is coated on CNTs/MF (PPy/CNTs/MF) through chemical oxidation polymerization by using FeCl₃·6H₂O adsorbed on CNTs/MF as oxidant to polymerize the pyrrole vapor. Finally, CNTs are coated on the surface of PPy/CNTs/MF to increase the conductivity of the composite (CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF) by dip‐dry process again. The composites have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical method. The results show that the structure of the composites has obvious influence on their capacitive properties. According to the galvanostatic charge/discharge test, the specific capacitance of CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF is about 184 F g^?1 based on the total mass of the composite and 262 F g^?1 based on the mass of PPy (70.2 wt % in the composite) at the current density of 0.4 A g^?1, which is higher than that of PPy/CNTs/MF (120 F g^?1 based on the total mass of the composite and 167 F g^?1 based on the mass of the PPy). Furthermore, the capacitor assembled by CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF shows excellent cyclic stability. The capacitance of the cell assembled by CNTs/PPy/CNTs/MF retains 96.3% over 450 scan cycles at scan rate of 20 mV s^?1, which is larger than that assembled by CNTs/PPy/MF (72.5%). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39779.     

Synthesis and properties of conducting polypyrrole,polyalkylanilines, and composites of polypyrrole and poly(2‐ethylaniline)

Conducting polymers of alkylanilines, pyrrole, and their conducting composites were synthesized by oxidation polymerization. The oxidants used were KIO₃ and FeCl₃ for the polyalkylanilines and polypyrrole (PPy), respectively. Among the polyalkylanilines synthesized with KIO₃ salt, the highest conductivity was obtained with poly(2‐ethylaniline) (P2EAn) with a value of 4.10 × 10^?5 S/cm. The highest yield was obtained with poly(N‐methylaniline) with a value of 87%. We prepared the conducting composites (PPy/P2EAn and P2EAn/PPy) by changing synthesis order of P2EAn and PPy. The electrically conducting polymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy. From the results, we determined that the properties of the composites were dependent on the synthesis order of the polymers. The thermal degradation temperature of PPy was observed to be higher than that of the other polymers and composites. We determined from X‐ray results that the structures of the homopolymers and composites had amorphous regions (88–95%) and crystal regions (5–12%). From the Gouy balance magnetic measurements, we found that the polymers and composites were bipolaron conducting mechanisms. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 241–249, 2006     

Conducting Composites of Polyurethane Resin and Polypyrrole: Solvent‐Free Preparation,Electrical, and Mechanical Properties

Summary: Three methods were used for solvent‐free preparation of conducting composites of PUR and PPy. In all cases, PUR was prepared from TDI and hydroxol 15‐W as polyol cross‐linker, whereas PPy was obtained upon oxidative coupling of Py using ferric chloride as oxidant. In method 1, PPy powder was dispersed in hydroxol. After addition of TDI the mixture was cured to yield the final product. In method 2, ferric chloride and Py were dissolved in hydroxol and a PPy dispersion was obtained. Then TDI was added and the final product was obtained upon curing. In method 3, Py was dissolved in TDI and ferric chloride dissolved in hydroxol. Then the two solutions were mixed and cured resulting in the simultaneous formation of PPy and PUR. Method 1 led to composites with a specific electrical conductivity σ of 10^?10 S · cm^?1 and a Shore A hardness of 40 to 55. Using methods 2 and 3, composites with σ values of 10^?7 S · cm^?1 and a hardness of 30 to 40 were obtained. Presence of moisture increased the σ values and decreased the hardness. Due to the solvent‐free preparation, the maximum PPy content of the samples was limited to 10 wt.‐%. The studies also demonstrated that the conductivity was mainly dependent on the amount of ferric chloride present in the sample and not on the PPy content, suggesting that the conductivity was ionic.

Flow diagram of different preparation methods for PUR–PPy composites.     

Preparation of the flexible polypyrrole/polypropylene composite fibrous film for electrochemical capacitor

Polypyrrole (PPy)/polypropylene fibrous membrane (PPF) composite materials with different PPy contents are prepared through in situ chemical oxidation polymerization in the pyrrole atmosphere at room temperature by dissolving the FeCl₃·6H₂O in methanol and acetonitrile as oxidant. The morphology of the composite is examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the conductivities of the composites are measured by convenient four‐probe method, and the properties of the capacitor cells assembled by the obtained PPy/PPF are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The results show that the morphology, conductivity, and the capacitor property of the composite are influenced strongly by the solvent of the oxidant. The capacitor assembled by the PPy/PPF prepared by using acetonitrile as the solvent for FeCl₃^.6H₂O can adapt for quick charge/discharge, and exhibit the highest capacitance of about 72.5 F g^?1 when the PPy content is about 8.0%. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Electrically conductive composites of polyurethane derived from castor oil with polypyrrole‐coated peach palm fibers

Electrically conducting fibers were prepared through in situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) in the presence of peach palm fibers (PPF) using iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃·6H₂O) as oxidant. The polypyrrole (PPy) coated PPF displayed a PPy layer on the fibers surface, which was responsible for an electrical conductivity of (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹, similar to the neat PPy. Electrically conductive composites were prepared by dispersing various amounts of PPy‐coated PPF in a polyurethane matrix derived from castor oil. The polyurethane/PPy‐coated PPF composites (PU/PPF–PPy) exhibited an electrical conductivity higher than PU/PPy blends with similar filler content. This behavior is attributed to the higher aspect ratio of PPF–PPy when compared with PPy particles, inducing a denser conductive network formation in the PU matrix. Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) value in the X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz) found for PU/PPF–PPy composites containing 25 wt% of PPF–PPy were in the range −12 dB, which corresponds to 93.2% of attenuation, indicating that these composites are promising candidates for EMI shielding applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2146–2155, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and characterization of secondary doped polypyrrole/organic modified attapulgite conductive composites

Secondary doping method was introduced into fabricating polypyrrole/oganic modified attapulgite conductive composites. The preparation conditions, such as amount of hexadecylpyridinium chloride (CPC, modifying agent), organic modified attapulgite (OATP), and HCl (secondary dopant) have been optimized to get the composites with the highest conductivity. When m_CPC/m_ATP, m_OATP/m_Py, and n_HCl/n_SA (SA is sulfamic acid) reaches 0.03, 0.6, and 0.5, respectively, the PPy/OATP composites possess the highest conductivity of 87.59 S cm^?1 as well as the highest thermal degradation temperature of 249.29°C. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐Visible diffuse reflectance study, and X‐ray photoelectron Spectroscopy results showed that PPy chains form the core‐shell structure and may combine with OATP via π–π stacking interaction. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of PPy/OATP‐SH composites was enhanced and these could be attributed to the retardation effect of OATP as barriers for the degradation of PPy. This method may open a new door for PPy‐based composites with special structures, higher performance, and thus broader application ranges. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41407.     

Conducting composites of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole), polypyrrole,and polyaniline with 13X‐zeolite

N‐vinylcarbazole (NVC) was polymerized by 13X zeolite alone in melt (65°C) or in toluene (110°C) and a poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PNVC)‐13X composite was isolated. Composites of polypyrrole (PPY) and polyaniline(PANI) with 13X zeolite were prepared via polymerization of the respective monomers in the presence of dispersion of 13X zeolite in water (CuCl₂ oxidant) and in CHCl₃ (FeCl₃ oxidant) at an ambient temperature. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared analyses. Scanning electron microscopic analyses of various composites indicated the formation of lumpy aggregates of irregular sizes distinct from the morphology of unmodified 13X zeolite. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed some typical differences between the various composites, depending upon the nature of the polymer incorporated. Thermogravimetric analyses revealed the stability order as: 13X‐zeolite > polymer‐13X‐zeolite > polymer. PNVC‐13X composite was essentially a nonconductor, while PPY‐13X and PANI‐13X composites showed direct current conductivity in the order of 10^?4 S/cm in either system. However, the conductivity of PNVC‐ 13X composite could be improved to 10^?5 and 10^?6 S/cm by loading PPY and PANI, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 913–921, 2006     

Preparation and electrochemistry of nanostructured PPy/graphite nanosheets/rare earth ions composites for supercapacitor

Highly conductive PPy/graphite nanosheets/rare earth ions (PPy/nanoG/RE³⁺) composites were prepared via in‐situ polymerization with p‐toluenesulfonic acid as a dopant and FeCl₃ as an oxidant. The microstructures of nanoG and PPy/nanoG/RE³⁺ were characterized by the SEM and TEM examinations. It was found that nanoG and PPy nanospheres formed the uniform composite with the PPy nanospheres embedded on the nanoG surface and/or filled between the nanoG. The effects of nanoG and RE³⁺ on the electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the nanoG and RE³⁺ as the filler had effect on the conductivity and electrochemical performance of PPy/nanoG/RE³⁺ composites, which played an important role in forming a conducting network in PPy matrix. A specific capacitance of as high as 175 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g was achieved over the PPy/nanoG/Gd³⁺ composite. The capacitance of the PPy/nanoG/Gd³⁺ composite decreased only 5.1% after 800 charging/discharging cycles at a current density of 1 A/g. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2731–2738, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A conducting nanocomposite of acetylene black with preformed poly‐N‐vinylcarbazole crosslinked by anhydrous FeCl3

A conducting nanocomposite of crosslinked poly‐N‐vinylcarbazole (CLPNVC) with nanodimensional acetylene black (AB) was prepared by oxidative crosslinking of preformed PNVC through pendant carbazole moieties in presence of anhydrous FeCl₃ as an oxidant and AB suspension in CHCl₃ medium at 65°C. The incorporation of CLPNVC moieties in the CLPNVC‐AB composite was endorsed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed formation of lumpy aggregates with average sizes in the 130–330 nm ranges. The thermal stability of the CLPNVC‐AB composite was appreciably higher than that of the PNVC‐AB composite. The direct current conductivities of the composites were significantly enhanced relative to that of the PNVC homopolymer (10^?12–10^?16 S/cm) and varied in the range of 10^?4–10^?2 S/cm depending on the amount of AB loading in the CLPNVC‐AB composite. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 819–824, 2006     

Electrically conducting biodegradable polymer composites (polylactide‐polypyrrole and polycaprolactone‐polypyrrole) for passive resonant circuits

Electrically conducting biodegradable polymer composites made of polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles embedded in poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) or poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) are prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization. They will be used as electrical conductors for fabricating biodegradable passive resonant circuits for bioimplants. For both composites, the conductivity exhibits a percolation threshold at ～6 wt% of PPy. Several reactants are tested, the polymerization process resulting in the highest conductivity uses iron(III)chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃), sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, and p‐nitrophenol (pNPh), for both poly(L ‐lactide)‐polypyrrole (PLLA‐PPy) and poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐polypyrrole (PCL‐PPy). Conductivities of 2.7 ± 0.8 S cm^ε1 (PLLA‐PPy) and 7.8 ± 2.3 S cm^?1 (PCL‐PPy) are reached for a PPy content of 40 wt%. The PPy particle, observed by SEM, forms agglomerates having a size of 0.6–3.5 μm. The samples have similar PPy particle distributions over the entire cross sections. The conductivity as a function of time is investigated, being 34–70% of the initial value for samples stored in nitrogen, whereas it is less than 1% for samples stored in body‐like conditions, bringing the conclusion that a biodegradable packaging will be required to protect the resonant circuits from body fluids. Finally, the biocompatibility of the polymer composites is evaluated with cytocompatibility tests on dermal human fibroblast cells, showing promising results in particular for composites having a low PPy content. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole/graphene/nonwoven fabric composites used as electrodes of electrochemical capacitor

The reduced graphene oxide/nonwoven fabric (rGO/NWF) composites have been fabricated through heating the NWF coated with the mixture of GO and HONH₂·HCl at 130°C, during which the GO is chemically reduced to rGO. Then the composites of polypyrrole (PPy)/rGO/NWF have been prepared through chemically polymerizing pyrrole vapor by using the FeCl₃·6H₂O adsorbed on rGO/NWF substrate as oxidant. Finally, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used as conductive enhancer to modify PPy/rGO/NWF through dip‐dry process to obtain MWCNTs/PPy/rGO/NWF. The prepared composites have been characterized and their capacitive properties have been evaluated in 1.0M KCl electrolyte by using two‐electrode symmetric capacitor test. The results reveal that MWCNTs/PPy/rGO/NWF possesses a maximum specific capacitance (C_sc) of about 319 F g^?1 while PPy/rGO/NWF has a C_sc of about 277.8 F g^?1 at the scan rate of 1 mV s^?1 and that optimum MWCNTs/PPy/rGO/NWF retains 94.5% of initial C_sc after 1000 cycles at scan rate of 80 mV s^?1 which is higher than PPy/rGO/NWF (83.4%). Further analysis reveals that the addition of MWCNTs can increase the charger accumulation at the outer and inner of the composites, which is favorable to improve the stability and the rapid charge‐discharge capacity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41023.     

Electroconductive and catalytic performance of polypyrrole/montmorillonite/silver composites synthesized through in situ oxidative polymerization

The present study demonstrates a simple approach to the formation of polypyrrole/montmorillonite/silver (PPy/Mt/Ag) composites via in situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) in the presence of AgNO₃ acting as a direct oxidant. The polymerization was performed in the presence of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, which acts as a stabilizing and doping agent. The morphological, structural, and thermal properties of PPy/Mt/Ag composites are discussed in detail and a possible formation mechanism is proposed. The electrical conductivities of the composites pressed at different pressing pressures were investigated using four‐probe analyzer. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy results indicated the partially exfoliated structure of the composites and Fourier transforms infrared results suggested the strong interactions between Si? O? Si groups in Mt and N? H groups in PPy chains. The addition of Mt in the PPy polymer enhanced thermal property of the polymer. The conductivity of 1.08 S cm^?1 was observed in the sample with 20 wt % Mt loading and applied pressure of 5 MPa. The composites obtained in the present study catalyze the reduction of methylene blue by sodium borohydride, achieving 92% conversion of MB to colorless within a few minutes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45986.     

Fabrication of Tiron‐doped polypyrrole/MWCNT composite electrodes with high mass loading and enhanced performance for supercapacitors

In this study, the aromatic sulfonate compound Tiron with high charge to mass ratio is used as an anionic dopant for synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy). The fabricated PPy is investigated for electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) application. Testing results show that Tiron allows reduced PPy agglomeration, smaller particle size and improved charge storage properties of PPy. High capacitance and improved capacitive retention at high scan rates are achieved by the fabrication of PPy/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite electrode using safranin (SAF) as a co‐dispersant. The Tiron‐doped PPy electrode shows the highest capacitance of 7.8 F cm^?2 with a mass of 27 mg cm^?2. The Tiron‐doped PPy/MWCNT composite electrode shows good capacitance retention with a capacitance of 1.0 F cm^?2 at the scan rate of 100 mV s^?1. Symmetric supercapacitor cells are fabricated using PPy based active materials. An energy density of 0.36 mWh cm^?2 is achieved. The energy/power density and capacitance retention of the Tiron‐doped PPy/MWCNT ES is significantly improved in comparison with PPy‐based ES, prepared without Tiron or MWCNT. The Tiron‐doped PPy/MWCNT symmetric supercapacitor presents good cycling performance with 91.4% capacitance retention after 1000 charge–discharge cycles. The PPy/MWCNT composites, prepared using Tiron and SAF co‐dispersant, are promising electrodes for ES. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42376.     

Electroanalytical studies on electrically conducting polyaniline:polyethyleneterephthalate composite films

Polyaniline (PANI):polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) composite was prepared by chemical polymerization of aniline diffused in the PET matrix. Thus prepared composite films were characterized by fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and their electrical properties and the thermo‐oxidative stability was studied by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. The stability in terms of DC electrical conductivity retention was studied in an oxidative environment by two slightly different techniques viz. isothermal and cyclic techniques. DC electrical conductivity of composite films was found to be stable up to 90°C for most of the composites under ambient conditions. The composite films were employed as cathode material in secondary cells containing 1M ZnCl₂ solution. The studies were carried out on the charge/discharge cycles under a constant current load 140 mA. The composite films showed similar behavior in electrolyte solution and cell response is reversible. To determine the diffusion coefficient for the chloride ions diffusion into the composite films electrochemically, galvanostatic pulse method was used. The diffusion coefficient was estimated to be ～ 3.28 × 10^?12 cm² s^?1. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis of conducting polyaniline/TiO2 composite nanofibres by one‐step in situ polymerization method

Conducting polyaniline (PANI)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) composite nanofibres with an average diameter of 80–100 nm were prepared by one‐step in situ polymerization method in the presence of anatase nano‐TiO₂ particles, and were characterized via Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, UV/vis spectra, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy, as well as conductivity and cyclic voltammetry. The formation mechanism of PANI/TiO₂ composite nanofibres was also discussed. This composite contained ～ 65% conducting PANI by mass, with a conductivity of 1.42 S cm^?1 at 25°C, and the conductivity of control PANI was 2.4 S cm^?1 at 25°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

One‐step synthesis of highly conductive PPy/graphite nanosheets/Gd3+ composites

Highly conductive polypyrrole/graphite nanosheets/Gd³⁺ (PPy/nanoG/Gd³⁺) composites are fabricated via in situ polymerization using p‐toluenesulfonic acid as a dopant and FeCl₃ as an oxidant. The effects of the graphite nanosheets and Gd³⁺ loading on the electrical conductivity are investigated. The maximum conductivity of PPy/nanoG/Gd³⁺ composites about 17.86 S/cm found with 3 wt% graphite nanosheets and 6 wt% Gd³⁺ at room temperature. The results showed that the high‐aspect‐ratio structure of graphite nanosheets played an important role in forming a conducting network in PPy matrix. Thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrates an improved thermal stability of PPy in the PPy/nanoG/Gd³⁺ composites. The microstructures of PPy/nanoG/Gd³⁺ are evidenced by the SEM and TEM examinations. POLYM. COMPOS., © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Novel Ni/polypyrrole and Cu/polypyrrole composites prepared in the presence of different acids: Synthesis and investigation of thermal stability

We report the synthesis and characterization of new organic/inorganic hybrid materials constituted of Ni(0) and Cu(0) nanoparticles and polypyrrole (PPy). Copper and nickel nanoclusters were synthesized by a chemical reduction of aqueous metal salt solutions by sodium borohydride. PPy/Ni(0) and PPy/Cu(0) composites were obtained in the presence of two different acids (H₃BO₃, CH₃COOH), by polymerizing pyrrole‐Ni and pyrrole‐Cu particles by using iron (III) chloride. The composites have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and magnetic susceptibility techniques. Conductivity measurements of samples were taken using four‐probe devices. The PPy/Ni(0) and PPy/Cu(0) nanocomposites doped with different acids exhibited higher conductivity values than those of homopolymers. Among all samples, Ni/PPy‐H₃BO₃ has the highest conductivity (1.42 S cm^?1). Homopolymers and composites showed a stable and increasing conductivity with increasing temperature, except Ni(0). We observed that from TGA analysis of polymers, metal composites of PPy synthesized in two different media are more stable than those of PPy‐CH₃COOH and PPy‐H₃BO₃. The magnetic susceptibility values of homopolymers and Cu are negative, whereas the other samples are positive. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of graphene oxide/nanosulfur/polypyrrole ternary nanocomposite hydrogel for supercapacitors

A method for synthesizing Graphene oxide (GO)/nano‐sulfur/polypyrrole (PPy) ternary nanocomposite hydrogel is depicted. The higher surface area of GO, PPy porous structure and their excellent conductivity are utilized, and the GO hydrogel can be made easily. The products are characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and electrochemical workstation. The results demonstrated that GO/nano‐S/PPy ternary nanocomposite hydrogel is successfully synthesized. The electrochemical properties are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, and cycling life in a three‐electrode system in 1M Li₂SO₄ electrolyte solution. The GO/nano‐S/PPy ternary nanocomposite hydrogel exhibit a high specific capacitance of 892.5 F g^?1 at scan rates of 5 mV s^?1 and the capacitance retain about 81.2% (594.8 F g^?1) of initial capacitance (732.5 F g^?1) after 500 cycles at a current density of 1 A g^?1. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40814.     

Interfacial synthesis of polypyrrole/graphene composites and investigation of their optical,electrical and electrochemical properties

We report the development of a novel route for the synthesis of polypyrrole/graphene (PPy/GR) composites by liquid ? liquid interfacial polymerization, where GR and the initiator were dispersed in the aqueous phase and the monomer was dissolved in the organic phase. The synthesized samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, electrochemical and electrical conductivity measurements. Structural analysis reveals a uniform dispersion of GR sheets in the PPy matrix. The composites showed noticeable improvement in thermal stability and electrical conductivity (8.45 S cm^?1) and excellent electrochemical reversibility in comparison with pure PPy. A specific capacitance of 260 F g^?1 at a current density of 100 mA g^?1 was achieved for the composite during the charge–discharge process. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Conducting Shape Memory Polyurethane‐Polypyrrole Composites for an Electroactive Actuator

Summary: Electroactive shape memory composites were prepared using polyurethane block copolymer and conducting polypyrrole by chemical oxidative polymerization. The electrical conductivity, thermal and mechanical properties, and morphology of the composites were investigated, and a voltage‐triggered shape memory effect was demonstrated. The polyurethane synthesized had a transition temperature near 46 °C. The presence of polypyrrole increased the conductivity of the composites, and a high conductivity of the order of 10^?2 S/cm was obtained at 6–20 wt.‐% polypyrrole. Such a conductivity of composites was enough to show electroactive shape recovery by heating above the transition temperature of 40–45 °C due to melting of the polycaprolactone soft segment domain. Thus a good shape recovery of 85–90% could be obtained in the shape recovery test with bending mode when an electric field of 40 V was applied.

Electroactive shape recovery behavior of PU/PPy composite.