Preparation and characterization of high electrically conductive polypyrrole/nickel plating graphite nanosheets composites

Nickel plating graphite nanosheets (Ni/GNs) were successfully prepared by electroless plating method. Polypyrrole/nickel plating graphite nanosheets (PPy/Ni/GNs) composites were synthesized by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) monomer in the presence of Ni/GNs. The microstructures of Ni/GNs and the PPy/Ni/GNs composites were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that a layer of continuous Ni layer was coated on the surface of GNs and Ni/GNs were homogeneously dispersed in PPy matrix. Electrical conductivity measurements indicated that the percolation threshold of the PPy/Ni/GNs composites was as low as 0.30 vol%. When the content of Ni/GNs was 0.50 vol%, the electrical conductivity of the PPy/Ni/GNs composites reached to the value of 5.0 × 104 S/m. From the thermogravimetric analysis (TG), the PPy/Ni/GNs composites exhibited good thermal stability.

► The PPy/Ni/GNs composites were successfully prepared.
► The percolation threshold of the PPy/Ni/GNs composites was as low as 0.30 vol%.
► When the content of Ni/GNs was 0.50 vol%, the electrical conductivity of the PPy/Ni/GNs composites was 5.0 × 104 S/m.