The relationship between modulated morphology of attapulgite/polypyrrole composites and electrical property

• ATP surface property has effects on the morphology of ATP/PPys.
• ATP/PPys with two morphologies were prepared facilely in water–ethanol system.
• The pristine ATP is beneficial to form rod-film ATP/PPys.
• Rod-film ATP/PPys have preferable conductivity and specific capacitance than rod–sphere ones.

Attapulgite/polypyrrole composites (ATP/PPys) with morphology difference were synthesized in water–ethanol mixture via modulating the surface property of ATP to expound the relationship of morphology and electrica property. The surface property of ATP shows important impacts on the modulated morphology of ATP/PPys, and their morphologies are closely related with the inherent property. The results indicate that the pristine ATP is beneficial to generate the rod-film composites, and the rod-film ATP/PPys have preferable electrical conductivity and specific capacitance compared with the rod–sphere ones.