Preparation of polyaniline–polypyrrole composite sub‐micro fibers via interfacial polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Polyaniline–polypyrrole (PANI–PPy) composite sub‐micro fibers were prepared via interfacial polymerization of aniline and pyrrole using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant. Carbon tetrachloride was used as the organic solvent to dissolve the monomers and APS was dissolved in HCl aqueous solution. The reaction was carried out at the interface formed by the two above solutions. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectra and differential thermal analysis were conducted to characterize the morphology, structure and thermostability of the resulting composites. Dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid was also used as medium to make comparison with that using HCl in the reaction system. The guidance of the formation of the PANI nanofibers at the first step and the interaction between PANI and PPy were considered as the drive forces to yield the composite sub‐micro fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 29:22–26, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers