Ternary phase interfacial polymerization of polypyrrole/MWCNT nanocomposites with core–shell structure

In this study, polypyrrole (PPy)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites (PCNs) with core–shell structure were synthesized by a novel ternary phase interfacial polymerization. The thickness of the PPy shell can be tuned by changing the mass feeding ratio of MWCNTs to pyrrole. Increasing the pyrrole content from 50 to 90 wt%, the thickness of the PPy layer increased from about 30 nm to 80 nm. The probable formation mechanism for the core–shell structure of the nanocomposites was proposed. The utilizations of both ternary system and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate (Bmim[FeCl4]) for the interfacial polymerization favored the self assembly of PPy on the surface of MWCNTs. Electrochemical performances show that PCNs with pyrrole content of 90 wt% obtained high specific capacitance as well as ideal capacitive behavior.

► A ternary phase system was applied to synthesize polypyrrole/MWCNTs nanocomposites.
► The nanocomposites showed tunable core–shell structure with different feeding ratios.
► The ternary system and Bmim[FeCl4] favor the self assembly of PPy on MWCNTs surface.
► The nanocomposites with pyrrole content of 90 wt% showed ideal capacitive behavior.