Synthesis of CTAB-intercalated graphene/polypyrrole nanocomposites via in situ oxidative polymerization

PPy (polypyrrole)/CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) intercalated graphene sheets nanocomposites (PPy/CGN) were prepared via in situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of CTAB intercalated graphene. The morphology and structure of samples were investigated by FE-SEM (field-emission scanning microscope), TEM (transmitting electron microscopy), UV–vis (ultraviolet and visible spectrum), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectrum), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), and four-probe electrical conductivity measurements. The results showed that for the PPy/CGN nanocomposites, the disordered structure of CGN disappeared and CGN existed in the form of individual graphene sheet or stacked layers in PPy matrix. The graphene serves as a support material for nano-sized PPy particles. The CGN covered with PPy nanoparticles were confirmed by FE-SEM and TEM. The electrical conductivity of the PPy/CGN nanocomposite achieved 12.06 S/cm for the PPy/CGN-5 sample.

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► Polypyrrole/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized in the CTAB-graphene suspension.
► The structural of PPy chain could be kept from damage during the synthesize process.
► Conductivities of nanocomposites synthesized are higher than pure PPy.