Preparation, Characterization and Application of Organic Conducting Polymer-Silica Nanocomposite Particles

Abstract

We have prepared organic conducting nanocomposite particles which utilize polypyrrole／polyaniline as con- ducting parts and small silica particles as dispersants. The nanocomposite particles of polypyrrole／polyaniline andsilica represent a potentially useful processable form of polypyrrole／polyaniline, a normally intractable con- ducting polymer. Transmission electron microscopy（TEM）studies confirmthatthe polypyrrole―silica／poly ani- line―silica nanocomposite particles are made up of microaggregates of the original small silica particles, which give rise to a raspberry morphology. The particle diameter of the nanocomposites as measured by the TEM ob- servation can be varied over the range２００―４００nm depending on the colloid synthesis conditions. We demon- strated that the polypyrrole―silica／polyaniline―silica nanocomposite particles can be utilized as display elements forelectrophoretic display due to their high colloid stabilities. The electrical conductivities of polypyrrole―silica／ polyaniline―silica nanocomposite particles are measured and the paper sheets coated with these nanocomposite particles have higher conductivities compared to a conventional paper sheet. The polypyrrole―silica／polyaniline― silica nanocomposite particles can be utilized as conductive paper sheets.