Polypyrrole/polyphosphate organic–inorganic nanocomposites

Abstract Polypyrrole/polyphosphate organic–inorganic nanocomposites were synthesized by a single-step synthesis in which the inorganic host network develops initially from a sol–gel transition and provide a restricted environment for pyrrole polymerization. The organic polymer forms, entrapped within the polyphosphate gel. The samples were characterized by UV–visible–NIR, infrared, Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis. Self-standing thick films and powdered samples were obtained by adjusting the pyrrole and oxidant total amounts and their stoichiometric ratio. Self-standing samples in which the organic polymer is dispersed in nanosized domains within the inorganic matrix were prepared with up to a 10.8% polypyrrole load in its oxidized conducting form.