Chemical synthesis, characterization, and direct‐current conductivity studies of polypyrrole/γ‐Fe₂O₃ composites

Abstract

Abstract The in situ polymerization of pyrrole was carried out in the presence of γ‐Fe 2 O 3 to synthesize polypyrrole/γ‐Fe 2 O 3 composites by a chemical oxidation method. The polypyrrole/γ‐Fe 2 O 3 composites were synthesized with various compositions, including 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt % γ‐Fe 2 O 3 in pyrrole. The polypyrrole/γ‐Fe 2 O 3 composites were characterized with X‐ray diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy. The surface morphology of these composites was studied with scanning electron microscopy. The direct‐current conductivity was studied from 40 to 200°C. The dimensions of the γ‐Fe 2 O 3 particles in the matrix had a greater influence on the conductivity values. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2797–2801, 2007