Polypyrrole-tin (IV) oxide colloidal nanocomposites

We have chemically polymerised pyrrole in the presence of ultra-fine tin (IV) oxide particles which act as a particulate dispersant for polypyrrole. The resulting polypyrrole-tin (IV) oxide nanocomposite colloids have been investigated and compared to the polypyrrole-silica nanocomposite colloids previously reported. We find that essentially the same minimum substrate surface area is required for both the tin (IV) oxide and silica sols to ensure successful colloid formation. Our BET surface area measurements confirm that these nanocomposite particles have significant micro-porosity. The polypyrrole-tin (IV) oxide nanocomposite colloids are more polydisperse than polypyrrole-silica nanocomposite colloids but their solid-state conductivities are somewhat higher (up to 4 S cm−1).