Electrical behavior of conducting polymer based ‘polymeric–inorganic’ nanocomposite: Polyaniline and polypyrrole zirconium titanium phosphate

Composites are 21st century material used to meet the demand of improved materials and possess a combination of several desirable properties. Present study focussed on the conducting behavior of ‘polymeric–inorganic’ nanocomposite of conducting polymer polyaniline and polypyrrole. ‘Polymeric–inorganic’ nanocomposite cation-exchangers, i.e., polyaniline zirconium titanium phosphate (PANI-ZTP) and polypyrrole zirconium titanium phosphate (PPy-ZTP), were synthesized via sol–gel mixing of electrical conducting polymers into the matrices of inorganic precipitate of zirconium titanium phosphate (ZTP) having excellent ion exchange properties. The proposed nanocomposite possessed DC electrical conductivity in the semi-conducting range, i.e., 10−5–10−3 S cm−1. The stability in terms of DC electrical conductivity retention was also studied in an oxidative environment by two slightly different techniques viz. isothermal and cyclic techniques. The DC electrical conductivity of composite material was found stable upto 110 °C under ambient conditions.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The proposed ‘polymeric–inorganic’ nanocomposites are found semi-conducting in nature.
► The DC electrical conductivities of both were found stable upto 110 °C.
► The electrical conductivity of the sample increases with increase in temperature.