Synthesis and characterization of new mesoporous material with conducting polypyrrole confined in mesoporous silica

A new nanocomposite, semiconducting polypyrrole (PPy) confined in mesoporous silica (MCM-41) has been synthesized. PPy was formed in the pores of MCM-41 by adsorption of pyrrole gas and subsequent oxidative polymerization with FeCl3·6H2O. Different techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposite formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis show that the nanocomposite possesses mesoporous structure, and the residual pore volume of nanocomposite is significantly lower than that of pure empty MCM-41. FTIR spectra, high resolution transmission electron micrographs and electrical conductivity measurements confirmed the presence of polypyrrole inside pore channels of the host, and thermogravimetric analysis proved confinement effect in the channel system.