Polypyrrole–montmorillonite nanocomposites synthesized by emulsion polymerization

The structural, electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties were investigated for the nanocomposites of polypyrrole (PPy) and inorganic clay (Na+-montmorillonite) prepared by emulsion polymerization. Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) was used as emulsifier (surfactant) and dopant. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the conducting PPy was intercalated into the clay layers in nanoscale (<10 Å). The dc conductivity (σdc) of PPy–DBSA with clay was ∼6 S/cm, while that of PPy–DBSA without clay was ∼20 S/cm at room temperature (RT). Temperature dependence of σdc of both samples followed the three dimensional variable range hopping (VRH) model. From the g-value and the temperature dependence of EPR linewidth, paramagnetic signals were strongly affected by the partially negatively charged clay layers. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) showed that the clay induced the thermal stability of the systems.