A systematic study on morphological, electrical and electromagnetic shielding performance of polypyrrole coated polyester fabrics

Abstract

Functional conducting polymeric composites with micro and nano structures have received great attention due to technological applications in electrical, optical, and magnetic materials and devices. Electrically conductive polymeric textile surfaces are used for smart/functional textile applications such as electromagnetic shielding, anti static coatings, wearable electronic sensors, heat generating textiles etc. In this study, micro/nano scale conductive polymer coatings were obtained on polyester fabrics by in-situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole. Electromagnetic shielding performance of polyester-polyprrole (PES-PPy) conductive composite fabrics were investigated by coaxial holding method of ASTM D 4935. Spectroscopic (FTIR-ATR, XPS), morphologic (SEM), thermal (TGA) and electrical (Four Point Probe) characterizations were performed. Direct Current (DC) electrical conductivity of PES-PPy composite fabrics increased linearly with the fabric coating thickness. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of PES-PPy composite fabrics were enhanced by coating them in the presence of different PPy contents and FeCl3+p-TSA initiator-dopant system.