Synthesis and Characterization of Polypyrrole Rod Doped with p-Toluenesulfonic Acid via Micelle Formation

ABSTRACT: Rod-type polypyrrole (PPY) doped with p-toluenesulfonic acid (TSA) was synthesized by chemical oxi-dative polymerization via a self-assembly process. The shape of the PPY particles is mainly determined by the ratio of TSA/pyrrole (PY) and feed rate of the oxidant. Particle of different shapes (rod, grain, and partially rod) exhibit differ-ences in morphology, electrical properties, dispersity, and thermal properties. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterning analysis was used to investigate the mechanism of rod for-mation. The effect of the TSA concentration on the PPY structure was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The PPY rods doped with TSA exhibited bet-ter electrical conductivity than granular PPY doped with TSA, and their dispersity and thermal stability were also higher. Self-orientation of PPY in the micelles of TSA and high crystallinity of the rod particles led to improved ther-mal stability. Hence, the decomposition temperature of the polymer chain was considerably increased. 2007 Wile