Synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole using TiO₂ nanotube@poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) as dopant and template

A polypyrrole (PPy) using TiO₂ nanotube@poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (TiO₂@PSS) as dopant and template was synthesized by chemical oxidation polymerization. The template TiO₂@PSS consisting of a TiO₂ nanotube core and PSS on the surface was prepared by a “grafting from” approach. PPy on the layer of TiO₂@PSS (TiO₂@PSS/PPy) was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Raman spectroscopic analysis, UV‐visible (UV‐vis) spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis, and electrical conductivity analysis. Results showed that TiO₂@PSS/PPy was successfully fabricated. The electrical conductivity of the TiO₂@PSS/PPy nanocomposites at room temperature was 11.6 S cm⁻¹, which was higher than that of the PPy (4.2 S cm⁻¹). This result was consistent with those based on FTIR, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and XPS analyses. The nanocomposites have nanoparticle size and controllable morphology and thus potential applications in photoelectrochemical devices, photocatalytic devices, conductive inks, electronic printing sensors, and electrodes. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:462–467, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers