Preparation of Conducting Fibres from Cellulose and Silk by Polypyrrole Coating.

Acellulose fibre (e.g., cotton) and a protein fibre (e.g., silk), after under going pretreatment and activating stages, were coated by conductive polymers such as pyrrole by two methods: Vapour and liquid phases. The value of penetration of conductive polymer into fibres by scanning electron microscope (SEM) was determined. Then assessments were made on physical properties and optimization of the value and percent of coating by these properties. Electronic images of SEM showed that vapour or gas coating is more desired, as gas penetration into fibres realized better. Electrical properties of produced fibres are by a four-probe method and optimized value on properties and suitable conductivity were obtained. The polymer conductivity of fibres after several washings for cotton and silk fibres were measured to be 6.4x10-4 S/cm and 3.2x10·4 S/cm, respectively. Heat studies of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) also showed an increase of heat resistance of both coated fibres.